Both Nolan and Rockies owner Dick Monfort have expressed

optimism that a deal could be reached soon"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Scaling the RocksPebble ReportRockpileRockies Game ThreadsRockies Fan ExperienceRockpileNolan Arenado and the Rockies might be closing in on a long-term dealNew James McCann Jersey ,46commentsRockies news and links for Sunday, February 3, 2019MSTShareTweetShareShareNolan Arenado and the Rockies might be closing in on a long-term dealMonfort optimistic about long-term Arenado deal | MLB.comIn arguably one of the longest, darkest offseasons in recent history, there may be light at the end of the tunnel for Rockies fans and the organization itself regarding possibly the biggest question mark this franchise has faced—will Nolan Arenado sign a long-term deal?Well, Thomas Harding was able to catch up with owner Dick Monfort in Greeley on Saturday and Dick spoke on the matter with optimism that a deal would be worked out. Only time will tell, and a funky offseason that has left superstars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado unsigned certainly complicates matters, but this quote is still music to my ears:Not only that, but Monfort illuminated a topic that has been a thorn in Rockies fans’ sides for years—the franchise’s TV deal. Dick passes along good news though, in that the revenue will be jumping from $20M to $40M, and the organization will have some extra cash to help lock down Nolan confidently with “a number that we can get to.”Colorado Rockies: The honest truth about Nolan Arenado and his future | Rox PileIn this article, Kevin Henry offers his latest thoughts on the Nolan Arenado contract extension drama and points to three specific scenarios that could unfold. If we’re lucky, and by the sound of the way talks are progressing, we could see Nolan sign an extension in the coming weeks following his one-year arbitration-avoiding deal before the season starts, much like Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu did in the past. If not, there’s a real chance Nolan will test free agency following the 2019 season, if he’s not traded before then.As Kevin says, that’s a lot of “ifs.” What’s most important is that it appears Nolan wants to stay in Colorado, and the team wants to pay him to do so. Nolan is due for a huge payday, and he’ll get it one way or another http://www.tigersfanproshop.com/authentic-joe-jimenez-jersey , so as long as the Rockies keep winning and stay competitive, consistently reaching the Postseason, there’s a good chance Nado will go down as the greatest Rockie of all time.Arenado seeks more records after $26M deal | MLB.comNolan Arenado talked to Thomas Harding about his record-setting $26M deal for an arbitration-eligible player, and emphasized how confident he is in the direction the Rockies franchise is going. Harding also discusses the team’s “healthy” payroll on the rise, and paints an optimistic picture for the future of the franchise.What if Bryce Harper took a one-year deal? | Beyond the Box ScoreWhat could possibly overshadow Nolan Arenado signing a long-term contract with the Rockies, you ask? Well, not much, but maybe Bryce Harper signing a one-year deal with the Rockies, as well, and turning this team into an NL West powerhouse who could finally strip the Dodgers of their division title streak and play deep into the Postseason to compete for a World Series. Yeah, I suppose that could do it...Bob Ellis of Beyond the Box Score argues that Harper would be best to sign a one-year deal during this bizarre offseason with a team ready to compete for a championship, and thus he could improve his stock for an even better pay day next year. Bob suggests six teams who could afford Bryce and benefit from a one-year deal, and ultimately suggests the Rockies would be the very best fit for both parties.Colorado Rockies poll: Fans want Carlos Gonzalez back in 2019 | Rox PileBecause of a Jon Heyman tweet, it has been rumored the Rockies are interested in bringing back Carlos Gonz谩lez on another one-year deal. Kevin Henry of Rox Pile held a poll and asked his Rockies fans followers on Twitter if they’d be interested in seeing CarGo back in purple in 2019. The results aren’t very surprising—if you’re sentimental, at least.For what it’s worth, I would not mind at all seeing CarGo back for another season with the Rockies. The key is how they use him. If he were platooning vs. right-handed pitchers, getting spot starts, and adding some left-handed power off the bench, then sure. He would be a valuable clubhouse leader, make Nolan happy again Sparky Anderson Jersey , and bring joy to the fanbase. In no situation, though, should he be taking at-bats away from David Dahl. Ian Desmond—sure—but in limited use, CarGo could be an incredible addition to this club. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two years ago, the Minnesota Twins made Derek Falvey their chief baseball officer with the precondition that Paul Molitor remain as manager.Molitor presided over a playoff team and won the American League Manager of the Year award in 2017, but the Twins slipped backward this season. Last week, Falvey and general manager Thad Levine decided the time was right to hire their own manager.Citing pursuit of more productive development by their younger players, Falvey and Levine fired Molitor on Tuesday while offering him an opportunity to remain with the organization in an undefined position in baseball operations.“This wasn’t about our record this year. This is about what we think is best as we continue to grow a young team in the direction toward being a championship contender,” Falvey said.Falvey and other club executives expressed confidence that Molitor would stay with the Twins beyond the 20 years he has already worked for them in various roles, including the final three seasons of his Hall of Fame playing career.“I fully respect that decision,” Molitor said in a statement distributed by the team. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunity they gave me to serve in the role as manager for these past four years. I’m going to consider their genuine offer to serve in a different capacity to positively impact the Twins from a different role.”The Twins went 305-343 under the 62-year-old Molitor, with one appearance in the playoffs in 2017. They were 78-84 this year, long out of postseason contention after a series of early setbacks to several key players.Falvey and Levine, in a news conference at Target Field to announce the change, didn’t articulate specific reasons for firing Molitor or desired qualities they’re seeking with his replacement. The 20-minute session with reporters was largely filled with praise of Molitor’s acumen and attitude, including a willingness to employ data-driven, new-age strategy like defensive shifts and starting a game with a relief pitcher.With a backdrop of the struggles this year by center fielder Byron Buxton and third baseman Miguel Sano, the players long targeted as franchise cornerstones, the Twins have a need for new approaches and voices for their prospects that stretches beyond the main man in the dugout, however. Soon after Molitor was dismissed from his post Jack Morris Jersey , the Twins announced the firing of seven minor-league coaches and two strength and conditioning coaches from the major league staff.“In conversation with Paul last year at that time, we did look at what the future could look like if he wasn’t managing,” Falvey said. “It’s never the right time to make a difficult decision, and it’s never easy. You have to weigh all the factors that we learned about this team this year, where we are and what need to do moving forward. We felt like now was the time to have that conversation with Paul.”After the Twins went 85-77 and reached the wild-card game last season, Molitor was given a new three-year contract. Before Minnesota edged into the postseason, there was buzz that Molitor might’ve been let got at the end of last season.“I don’t really think that that was a huge roadblock to them,” Pohlad said. “I mean, everybody wanted the situation to work out, and I did too, because Paul’s a personal friend and he’s done so much for our organization and is so important to our community. So I feel good about that decision.”Executives often prefer to pick their own managers, though, and Falvey and Levine will now undertake that task. They’re willing to wait until after the World Series to decide, they said, in case a candidate is still participating.“This is an eye toward the future,” team president Dave St. Peter said. “What puts us in the best position to dig out of this hole that we’re in?”The Twins acquired relievers Fernando Rodney, Addison Reed and Zach Duke, starting pitchers Lance Lynn and Jake Odorizzi and designated hitter Logan Morrison over the winter, but Rodney and Duke were the only additions who couldn’t be considered disappointments on the field.Shortstop Jorge Polanco was hit with an 80-game suspension to start the season for a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance, and starting pitcher Ervin Santana’s recovery from surgery on his middle finger was painfully slow. Catcher Jason Castro suffered a season-ending knee injury. Second baseman Brian Dozier labored through the summer with substandard production. Rodney Michael Fulmer Jersey , Duke, Lynn and Dozier, along with shortstop Eduardo Escobar and relief pitcher Ryan Pressly, were all traded to contenders in July and August.Molitor, who spent the final three seasons of his Hall of Fame playing career with his hometown team, held several roles within the organization before he was named the 13th manager of the Twins for 2015.Molitor was a roving minor league instructor, focusing on baserunning and infielding, from 2003 through 2013 with a one-year stint as hitting coach for the Seattle Mariners in between. He was bench coach for the Twins under manager Tom Kelly in 2000 and 2001 and then an assistant coach under manager Ron Gardenhire in 2014 with emphases on baserunning, bunting, infielding and in-game strategy.“What we’re aspirational of controlling is identifying that young core of players we’ve talked about for years, in this community, and applying ourselves this offseason to try to have those guys collectively take a step forward,” Levine said. “And I think if we do that, the wins and losses will probably take care of themselves, and the gap we see right now between ourselves and the Cleveland Indians will start closing pretty rapidly.”