The Rockies and free agent infielder Orlando Arcia are within the ultimate levels of contract talks, based on Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Additional Base. Ought to the deal be accomplished, it’s going to mark a fast turn-around within the open marketplace for Arcia, who was launched simply yesterday by the Braves after he cleared DFA waivers.
Ezequiel Tovar is locked in as Colorado’s on a regular basis shortstop, so including Arcia in all probability means the Rockies are both wanting on the 30-year-old as a depth piece. Second baseman Adael Amador hasn’t hit a lot in any respect since being referred to as as much as the majors, so the Rockies is likely to be contemplating sending him again right down to Triple-A since Thairo Estrada is near getting back from the injured record. This leaves Arcia, Kyle Farmer, Tyler Freeman and Aaron Schunk readily available because the bench depth, barring one other transfer.
Arcia has principally performed shortstop throughout his 10 Main League seasons, and his typically strong glovework has helped him carve out that lengthy profession regardless of a modest .241/.294/.373 slash line. His most constant offensive run got here with the Braves in 2022 and in the course of the first half of the 2023 season, and Arcia was even named to the All-Star crew for his sturdy efficiency on the plate within the opening months of the 2023 marketing campaign.
Since then, nevertheless, Arcia’s bat has normalized again its normal ranges, and he misplaced his beginning shortstop job in Atlanta to Nick Allen. Arcia has appeared in solely 14 video games this season, and batted .194/.219/.226 in 32 journeys to the plate. Since Arcia was not within the crew’s plans, the Braves designated him for project and launched him earlier this week.
Owed $2MM in 2025, Arcia continues to be owed round $1.376MM of that wage, plus his contract comprises a $2MM membership possibility for 2026 with a $1MM buyout. The Rockies solely owe the prorated MLB minimal portion of what stays of his 2025 wage, with Atlanta booting the remainder of the invoice.
The value tag is sufficiently small that the Rockies could have felt it was value it to herald a veteran participant with some comparatively current success on his observe report — maybe as a commerce chip for the deadline, or maybe simply as an improve over its different backup infield choices. Since Colorado actually appears to be like like will probably be a vendor on the deadline, any variety of roster spots may very well be opening up after July 31. If Arcia himself isn’t moved, he can cowl innings for the Rockies within the occasion that maybe Estrada, Farmer, or Freeman are moved, or if the Rox discover an even bigger commerce like shifting Ryan McMahon.
