Sports

Rockies' Arenado says 'my heart was here' after $260M deal

02 of March 2019

AP Photo,File-This Sept. 21, 2018, file photo shows Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado in the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Arenado likes where he's at and the direction the Colorado Rockies are headed. So he's staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing. The All-Star third baseman agreed to a $260 million, eight-year contract on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Colorado Rockies slugger Nolan Arenado says “at the end of the day my heart was here” and he wants to emulate Todd Helton and Derek Jeter by spending his entire career with one team, explaining why he gave up a chance to become a free agent after this season.

The All-Star third baseman’s voice quavered when he spoke Wednesday, a day after agreeing to a $260 million, eight-year contract with the Rockies. The deal’s $32.5 million average annual value is second behind the $34.42 million for pitcher Zack Greinke in a $206.5 million contract with Arizona that began in 2016.

Arenado says the cold free-agent market the past two seasons wasn’t a big factor but “obviously it’s in your head.”

Manny Machado waited until last week before getting a $300 million, 10-year deal with San Diego, and Bryce Harper remains on the market.

Arenado says: “I don’t go off what everyone else is doing. I never have.”

His deal allows him to opt out after the 2021 season and become a free agent.

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