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  4. title => "How Nolan Arenado\u2019s new deal influences Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper"
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  6. article_body => "<p>Passing time in an assembled media herd often results in hyperbolic jokes. Reporters crammed into each other to gain an inch while waiting for Scott Boras at the Winter Meetings went this route. Among the ha-ha attempts was a suggestion to ask Boras if extension talks between the Nationals and 20-year-old Juan Soto had begun yet.<\/p>\n<p>The idea is not ludicrous three months later. A palatable market shift has wound through Major League Baseball following back-to-back years of bleak offseasons producing reduced player signings and constricted contracts. The extension is now in.<\/p>\n<p>Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado reportedly agreed to a new contract, that was ostensibly an extension, Tuesday. It\u2019s an eight-year deal worth $260 million, replacing the one-year arbitration deal he agreed to earlier this winter. It also makes him the new AAV (average annual value) king among position players. Locally, it sets a bar for Anthony Rendon\u2019s contract extension framework. Broadly, it marks another number for Bryce Harper to grapple with during his prolonged free agency.<\/p>\n<p>General managers figured this may be the new route to long-term contract agreements. At the least, they hoped it would be since it works in their favor. Extensions happen for various reasons, from comfort to timing. They also eliminate free market forces -- to a degree. Arenado needed certain things in his deal. He clearly received them. Same for Stephen Strasburg\u2019s seven-year extension signed in 2016. Both include multiple player opt-outs, a long commitment and pile of cash. Were either to make it to free agency, length, value, opt-outs and trade parameters would all be significant factors. Priorities were no different when discussing an extension.<\/p>\n<p>Arenado\u2019s career has existed as a direct foil to Rendon\u2019s broader reputation. They entered the National League the same year -- 2013 -- began hitting in year two and annually work at a Gold-Glove level over at third base. Except Rendon has not once made it to the All-Star Game or won a Gold Glove. Arenado has six Gold Gloves, one for each year he\u2019s been in the majors, to go with four All-Star appearances. Rendon would possess similar accolades if Arenado operated in the American League.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, he\u2019s been an excellent second-fiddle among National League third baseman during his tenure in Washington. He\u2019s also in the final year of his contract. Mike Rizzo is interested in working out an extension with Rendon. Rendon is open to considering one. Boras, Rendon\u2019s agent, would gulp hard and agree if instructed by his client to do so. The person who may matter most, Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner, labeled himself a large Rendon fan during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/how-watch-nbc-sports-washingtons-full-interview-nationals-owner-mark-lerner\" target=\"_self\">recent exclusive sitdown with NBC Sports Washington<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe love Tony to death,\u201d Lerner said. \u201cHe\u2019s certainly one of the greatest players in the game today. He\u2019s an even finer person. His activities with the youth baseball academy back in D.C. are phenomenal. He does it under the radar. It\u2019s very important to him. Just a great example of the way a professional athlete should conduct himself. Like I said, he\u2019s one of my favorites for a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Now, Rendon, Boras, Lerner and Rizzo have a baseline to look at. Arenado may be the reason prior extension discussions between the sides were not resolved. Seeing what he landed was necessary for discussions to reach a new level. Washington also needed a more clear picture of its finances in regard to Harper, as well as other offseason expenditures. Harper not accepting a 10-year, $300 million offer from the Nationals provides the organization much more wiggle room when negotiating with Rendon. Those within the organization argue it wasn\u2019t a this-or-that situation. But not having a $300 million expenditure on the books certainly makes a $200 million-plus extension more manageable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Arenado\u2019s contract also stands as a marker for Boras and Harper. His average salary of $32.5 million makes him the highest-paid position player in average annual value, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/report-padres-land-manny-machado-biggest-free-agent-contract-american-sports-history\" target=\"_self\">surpassing Manny Machado\u2019s $30 million<\/a>. It also slides Arenado into fifth overall in 2019. Stephen Strasburg is No. 1 at $38.333 million this season. Max Scherzer is No. 2 at $37.405 million. Harper will want to exceed Arenado\u2019s average number, Machado\u2019s total number for the largest free agent deal, and Giancarlo Stanton\u2019s extension number -- $325 million -- &nbsp;when his deal is finally settled.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s no longer the Nationals\u2019 concern. Rendon is, and they have new information to debate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"video-filter art19-player-iframe\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/45f390d2-bee9-421b-b519-fb712394d291\/episodes\/157fa0c8-5edd-4591-abaf-2e82d73885bf\/embed?theme=light-blue\" width=\"100%\" height=\"250px\" class=\"video-filter video-art19 vf-45f390d2bee9421bb519fb712394d291 vf-157fa0c85edd4591abaf2e82d73885bfembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Art19 Player\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>MORE NATIONALS NEWS:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dough or Doughnuts:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/free-doughnuts-life-dcs-last-ditch-effort-keep-bryce-harper-town\" target=\"_self\">D.C. makes a pitch to keep Harper<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Strong Start:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/patrick-corbin-pleased-nats-spring-training-debut\" target=\"_self\">Corbin pleased with spring debut<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Drama Debate:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/bryce-harpers-free-agency-annoys-us-way-kirk-cousins-never-did\" target=\"_self\">Why's Harper's FA is worse than Cousins<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Nationals

Nationals

Passing time in an assembled media herd often results in hyperbolic jokes. Reporters crammed into each other to gain an inch while waiting for Scott Boras at the Winter Meetings went this route. Among the ha-ha attempts was a suggestion to ask Boras if extension talks between the Nationals and 20-year-old Juan Soto had begun yet.

The idea is not ludicrous three months later. A palatable market shift has wound through Major League Baseball following back-to-back years of bleak offseasons producing reduced player signings and constricted contracts. The extension is now in.

Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado reportedly agreed to a new contract, that was ostensibly an extension, Tuesday. It’s an eight-year deal worth $260 million, replacing the one-year arbitration deal he agreed to earlier this winter. It also makes him the new AAV (average annual value) king among position players. Locally, it sets a bar for Anthony Rendon’s contract extension framework. Broadly, it marks another number for Bryce Harper to grapple with during his prolonged free agency.

General managers figured this may be the new route to long-term contract agreements. At the least, they hoped it would be since it works in their favor. Extensions happen for various reasons, from comfort to timing. They also eliminate free market forces -- to a degree. Arenado needed certain things in his deal. He clearly received them. Same for Stephen Strasburg’s seven-year extension signed in 2016. Both include multiple player opt-outs, a long commitment and pile of cash. Were either to make it to free agency, length, value, opt-outs and trade parameters would all be significant factors. Priorities were no different when discussing an extension.

 

Arenado’s career has existed as a direct foil to Rendon’s broader reputation. They entered the National League the same year -- 2013 -- began hitting in year two and annually work at a Gold-Glove level over at third base. Except Rendon has not once made it to the All-Star Game or won a Gold Glove. Arenado has six Gold Gloves, one for each year he’s been in the majors, to go with four All-Star appearances. Rendon would possess similar accolades if Arenado operated in the American League.

Instead, he’s been an excellent second-fiddle among National League third baseman during his tenure in Washington. He’s also in the final year of his contract. Mike Rizzo is interested in working out an extension with Rendon. Rendon is open to considering one. Boras, Rendon’s agent, would gulp hard and agree if instructed by his client to do so. The person who may matter most, Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner, labeled himself a large Rendon fan during a recent exclusive sitdown with NBC Sports Washington.

“We love Tony to death,” Lerner said. “He’s certainly one of the greatest players in the game today. He’s an even finer person. His activities with the youth baseball academy back in D.C. are phenomenal. He does it under the radar. It’s very important to him. Just a great example of the way a professional athlete should conduct himself. Like I said, he’s one of my favorites for a reason.”

Now, Rendon, Boras, Lerner and Rizzo have a baseline to look at. Arenado may be the reason prior extension discussions between the sides were not resolved. Seeing what he landed was necessary for discussions to reach a new level. Washington also needed a more clear picture of its finances in regard to Harper, as well as other offseason expenditures. Harper not accepting a 10-year, $300 million offer from the Nationals provides the organization much more wiggle room when negotiating with Rendon. Those within the organization argue it wasn’t a this-or-that situation. But not having a $300 million expenditure on the books certainly makes a $200 million-plus extension more manageable. 

Arenado’s contract also stands as a marker for Boras and Harper. His average salary of $32.5 million makes him the highest-paid position player in average annual value, surpassing Manny Machado’s $30 million. It also slides Arenado into fifth overall in 2019. Stephen Strasburg is No. 1 at $38.333 million this season. Max Scherzer is No. 2 at $37.405 million. Harper will want to exceed Arenado’s average number, Machado’s total number for the largest free agent deal, and Giancarlo Stanton’s extension number -- $325 million --  when his deal is finally settled. 

That’s no longer the Nationals’ concern. Rendon is, and they have new information to debate. 

 

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