Rockies GM Bridich hasn’t sat down with Arenado after rift

By: Greg Beacham, The Associated Press Posted: 7:58 PM CST Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 Last Modified: 12:26 PM CST Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich says he doesn't feel an urgency to clear the air with apparently disgruntled third baseman Nolan Arenado.

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich says he doesn't feel an urgency to clear the air with apparently disgruntled third baseman Nolan Arenado.

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This article was published 18/02/2020 (2083 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich says he doesn’t feel an urgency to clear the air with apparently disgruntled third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Bridich displayed no worries about his relationship with his best player Tuesday night when he spoke at the Cactus League media day.

The executive says he’ll have a conversation at some point with Arenado, who recently said he felt “disrespect” from Bridich and disappointment in the Rockies’ direction.

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2019, file photo, Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado reacts after being put out against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Denver. Arenado, the Rockies' top player, is at odds with the team's management as spring training opens for the club. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

“Today was Day Two, (and) yesterday was Day One with him in camp,” Bridich said. “We’ve seen each other. We haven’t sat yet, but I trust that we will. He’s just like all the other players. We’ll find time to sit down and interact, both with myself and others, so I trust we’ll find the right time for that.”

Arenado and the Rockies are one week shy of the anniversary of the five-time All-Star’s agreement on an eight-year, $260 million contract extension with his only big league club. The three-time NL homers leader’s relationship with the Rockies has undeniably deteriorated in the ensuing months, with Arenado being frustrated by hearing his name in trade rumours and by Colorado’s relatively inactive winter.

Bridich publicly believes he can smooth over any differences with his most important player and asset.

“I think it’s a natural part of being a team and competing as a group from year to year,” Bridich said. “You try to be on the same page as much as you can, and that takes a conversation. It takes time, and sometimes there are natural disagreements or there is miscommunication over time, and so you continue to work to right the ship.”

Bridich didn’t acknowledge he’s got to do any repair work with Arenado, and the GM remains confident in Arenado’s professionalism. He doesn’t expect any on-field reflection of the slugger’s dissatisfaction.

“You think back to less than a year ago when you were on the dais and you’re talking about (Arenado’s) extension,” Bridich said. “All those things we said publicly in terms of the elite level of talent, the elite level of production, the elite level of work ethic, the elite level of his own expectation to play well and to be one of the best players in the game, all of that still rings true right now. I mean, there’s absolutely no wavering in the confidence in him.”

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