Nolan Arenado's Return to the NL West: A Journey of Triumphs, Tumults, and Lingering Bonds!
It's a homecoming of sorts for baseball superstar Nolan Arenado as he steps back into the familiar territory of the NL West, a division where his legendary career first took flight. Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft, Arenado made his highly anticipated major league debut on April 28, 2013, quickly etching his name into baseball history.
His eight years with the Rockies were a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by an astounding collection of accolades: eight Gold Gloves, four Platinum Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, five All-Star selections, and two postseason appearances. Beyond the numbers, he consistently delivered breathtaking offensive fireworks and gravity-defying defensive plays that left fans in awe. However, this celebrated era wasn't without its challenges. A public disagreement with the Rockies' front office in 2020 cast a shadow, ultimately leading to his trade to the St. Louis Cardinals on February 1, 2021. This move came less than two years after he signed a groundbreaking eight-year, $260 million contract extension, a testament to his immense value.
His tenure in St. Louis, spanning five years, also saw its share of both glory and hardship. Arenado continued to rack up awards, adding two more Gold Gloves, one more Silver Slugger, and earning three additional All-Star nods. He also participated in two more playoff runs, once again showcasing his exceptional talent with unforgettable moments on both sides of the ball. Yet, after a challenging 2025 season for both the Cardinals and himself, he found himself on the move again, this time to the Arizona Diamondbacks, signaling his return to the NL West.
"I'm really excited about [returning to the NL West]," Arenado shared, reflecting on the familiarity of the division. "Obviously, I know the division well, but there’s a lot of new players and new pitchers and stuff. And obviously I know the ballparks really well. I grew up in this division, so it should be fairly easy getting adjusted to it."
True to form, Arenado arrives in Arizona with ambitious expectations for his new team and the upcoming season. "I think this team is really good," he stated. "This offense is a Top-10 offense without me, but I think I could really help it. I’m trying to make some adjustments that I feel can really help me play the way I know I can. I always keep those goals to myself, but I do have hefty goals and I don’t think I’m ever going to change that."
Despite the new chapter, fond memories of his time in Colorado remain. "Obviously, I think the group of players that I was with – starting off with Todd [Helton] and [Troy Tulowitzki] and [Dustin] Morneau and some of those guys – were awesome," he reminisced. He also fondly recalled playing alongside Carlos González, Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon, and DJ LeMahieu, noting, "I see the players now, and I’m like ‘Man, I have no idea who any of these players are.’ And so just thinking about the past with those players, it was a really special group." He added that former opponents often remark, "Man, that team you guys had was unbelievable. It was so hard to pitch to. It was a pain to face you guys." Looking back, he now recognizes it as "probably one of the better offenses I’ve ever played on."
Even years later, Arenado maintains strong connections with former teammates. He still keeps in touch with Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela, whom he played with from 2017-2021. "When I see ‘Free,’ I always say hi. Same with ‘Senza,’" he said. "Those guys mean a lot to me. They were young when they came through, and they did such a great job pitching when I was there. I want healthy success for them. But I talk to Charlie all the time. I talk with DJ probably every day. Story, too. We still trash talk."
His ties extend beyond players to include new Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer, with whom he shares a history dating back to their time in Double-A. "I played with him in Double-A," Arenado recalled. "I was young at the time. I was a pain in the butt at that time. But we got along great because he loved that I worked. And he was a big worker, too. He took ground balls everyday. And the one thing about Schaeff – there were times where he wasn’t starting in those games, but he was still working every day and never complained. He showed up to work."
Schaeffer, in turn, spoke highly of their shared past with the Tulsa Drillers. "I remember just enjoying watching him play," Schaeffer said. "I mean, he was the young kid coming up; I was, at that time, the old guy that sat on the bench, and he played one of my positions." He continued, "I always thought he was the best practicer, and I loved it. He was the first guy I ever saw other than myself show up like that — and do it almost more than me — and that’s why he’s so great. He had that mixed with talent and that’s why he’s a future Hall of Famer. He’s unbelievable. He’s probably my favorite baseball player that I’ve ever seen."
As Arenado enters what many consider the twilight of his illustrious career, the Hall of Fame conversation has been a constant since his early days in Colorado. But here's where it gets interesting: Arenado himself isn't dwelling on future enshrinement just yet. "Being in the conversation is great, but I don’t even think about those things," he admitted. "I feel like I’ve got a whole season ahead of me here [in Arizona]. I’ve got to go out there and play well – I have high expectations for this team, and I have high expectations for myself, and we’ll cross that bridge when we need to."
And, of course, no discussion of Nolan Arenado is complete without mentioning his defensive brilliance. When asked about his favorite plays, he offered a personal selection.
Now, let's talk about legacy and perception. Is it more impressive to achieve consistent greatness over a long period, or to have moments of sheer, unparalleled brilliance? Arenado has seemingly mastered both. Do you believe his early career accolades with the Rockies, despite the team's struggles, solidify his Hall of Fame case more than later successes elsewhere? Or is sustained excellence across different teams the true measure? Share your thoughts below!
