Rockies, Nolan Arenado avoid arbitration with 1-year deal

The Colorado Rockies have landed what appears to be a bargain deal with star third baseman Nolan Arenado.

On Friday, the Rockies and Arenado reached a one-year deal that will pay the reigning major-league RBI king $5 million.

While $5 million is by no means a figure to scoff at, it could be a major deal for Arenado, who tied Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper for the National League lead in home runs at 42 in addition to leading the majors with 130 RBI and won his third-consecutive Gold Glove award in 2015.

In his three major-league seasons, Arenado has held a .281/.318/.500 split while averaging 28 home runs and 98 RBI per 162 games.

This year is the first of four seasons Arenado is eligible for arbitration, and assuming the Rockies don't offer him an extension, he is slated to become a free agent after the 2019 season.

Arenado is one of a few Rockies players who are eligible for arbitration this year, including second baseman DJ LeMahieu and outfielder Charlie Blackmon.

Colorado has already avoided arbitration by reaching one-year deals with pitcher Jordan Lyles ($2.95 million) and outfielder Brandon Barnes ($1 million guaranteed, plus $500,000 in incentives), and notched a three-year deal with reliever Adam Ottavino worth $10.4 million.