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Thoughts from the cheap seats regarding Nolan, because there has to be more to the story than simply, "Monfort is a cheapskate and Bridich is an idiot!" I mean, not that either of those things isn't necessarily true, but they do not explain trade as it's been reported thus far.
First, I'm not buying the idea that the Rockies moved him now to avoid "distraction" during the upcoming season, which was certain to be another throw-away year even if Nolan played every game. Seriously, if return from StL is as bad as reported, Rox paid millions more $$ ...
and chose to forgo draft compensation they would have received if Nolan left via FA. Call me a cynic, but don't see Rox willingly making that investment for the sake of season's worth of clubhouse equanimity where the realistic goal is to avoid 100 losses.
The "Monfort is a cheap bastard" and/or "Bridich is a fool" explanations, while perhaps true, leave much to be desired as explanations for this trade. Again, they would have paid less (and received a first-round pick) by letting him walk at the end of the season.
I've also seen smart folks advance the theory that Rox traded Nolan now not out of fear of losing him, but out of fear that he would stay. Maybe. But if so, wouldn't they have held out for a better deal until at least the trade deadline? Or until Nolan passed on his opt-out?
Besides, the idea that Nolan might stay goes against everything being reported this weekend about how desperately he wants out, and how he was willing to make substantial financial sacrifice (deferring money) to make it happen.
So what do I think is happening? My rank speculation is that the Rockies are facing unique and immediate financial pressure that goes beyond pandemic-driven factors affecting all small- and mid-market teams. And I can't help but wonder if the source of the pressure ...
... is just across 20th Street from the ballpark -- McGregor Square, to be precise. I am assuming they used a construction loan to build it. The beauty of construction loans is that you don't pay out of pocket as you go; you just draw them down 'til your project is complete.
Then, when the project is complete, you pay off the construction loan with a permanent loan.
Well, the project is almost complete. Any construction loan has to be coming due. And while I'm sure the prospects for permanent financing were excellent when they broke ground ...
Well, the project is almost complete. Any construction loan has to be coming due. And while I'm sure the prospects for permanent financing were excellent when they broke ground ...
... the situation is very different today. No telling when fans can return in any number, much less at capacity. COVID-19 has turned the office market upside down. Making a loan against the project is a very different proposition than it would have been if COVID never happened.
Leading me to speculate further that Rox need to shed liabilities from balance sheet to get loan they need to avoid losing McGregor Square to foreclosure. Apparently they just washed roughly $100 million liability from their books. Which would explain (not excuse) ...
... paying more money and receiving less value than keeping Nolan through the 2021 season.
Or maybe there is more to the return than reported. (I can dream, right?)
Or maybe Monfort is just cheap, and Bridich is just a fool.
End of rant.
Or maybe there is more to the return than reported. (I can dream, right?)
Or maybe Monfort is just cheap, and Bridich is just a fool.
End of rant.
