Rockies GM doesn't expect to trade Arenado with free agency looming

The Colorado Rockies plan to head into the 2019 season with Nolan Arenado, even if it's just for one more year.

The four-time All-Star is arbitration eligible for a fourth and final time this winter before hitting the open market, and Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich acknowledged that he's had "honest" conversations over the last several years about Arenado's long-term status with the team.

"There's not a perfect timeline or a specific timeline, but we'd love to have him here, and he knows that," Bridich said, according to Kyle Newman of the Denver Post. "We'll see what happens … We expect him to be on our team next year."

The 27-year-old said in March that he wouldn't discuss an extension until after the 2018 season as he didn't want any distractions.

Arenado has positioned himself for a massive payday when he hits free agency after the 2019 season. He's a five-time Gold Glove winner and three-time Silver Slugger, while also finishing in the top five in NL MVP voting twice. After making $17.1 million in 2018, he's projected to earn $26.1 million through arbitration next season, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

The Rockies have $73 million in salary committed to 2020 with Charlie Blackmon, Wade Davis, and Ian Desmond locked up. It's expected that Arenado will net a long-term deal that'll likely exceed $200 million.

Mike Hampton owns the Rockies' franchise record for the largest contract signed when he inked an eight-year, $121-million contract in 2000.