Get ready to dive into one of the most talked-about decisions in recent baseball history! The Colorado Rockies' handling of the Nolan Arenado trade has been a subject of intense scrutiny, and now, with the release of pitcher Austin Gomber, the final chapter of this ill-fated deal has been written. This move officially concludes the Rockies’ attempt to build future value from a transaction that sent their superstar third baseman to the St. Louis Cardinals, leaving the franchise with a stark reminder of a significant missed opportunity.

Colorado Rockies Face Dire Consequences as Austin Gomber Released, Final Arenado Trade Asset Gone

The Colorado Rockies have officially cut ties with left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber, marking the final departure of all players acquired in the 2021 blockbuster trade that sent Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals. This decision underscores the complete collapse of the Rockies’ strategy to extract long-term value from the deal, leaving the franchise with little to show for one of the most significant trades in recent memory and raising serious questions about their future direction.

Revisiting the Nolan Arenado Blockbuster Trade

In February 2021, the Colorado Rockies made a controversial move, trading their eight-time Gold Glove and five-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado—a true franchise cornerstone—to the St. Louis Cardinals. In return, the Rockies received five players: Austin Gomber, Elehuris Montero, Tony Locey, Mateo Gil, and Grant Gavin. At the time, the trade faced widespread criticism, with many skeptics questioning how Colorado could possibly replace Arenado’s elite production, leadership, and fan appeal. The Rockies’ front office defended the move by highlighting the potential of the acquired players to revitalize the team’s farm system and future roster, aiming for a long-term rebuild.

Austin Gomber’s Disappointing Tenure with the Colorado Rockies

Austin Gomber, the most established player in the return package from the Arenado trade, was initially expected to provide much-needed stability to the Rockies’ pitching rotation. However, his four-year tenure with the team proved largely underwhelming. He recorded a 28-44 record with a 5.31 ERA, consistently struggling with consistency, particularly in the challenging thin air of Coors Field. His 2025 season was especially disastrous—Gomber went 0-7 with a 7.49 ERA, culminating in a final, painful outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers where he allowed 9 hits and 7 earned runs in just three innings. That performance effectively sealed his fate and led to his release from the organization.

The Final Chapter: Complete Failure of the Arenado Trade Returns for the Rockies

Austin Gomber’s release represents the final chapter in the total dismantling of the Arenado trade returns for the Colorado Rockies. Earlier this year, Elehuris Montero, once considered the trade’s top prospect with promising power, signed with a team in Japan’s NPB after being designated for assignment and outrighted to the minors. The remaining three players—Tony Locey, Mateo Gil, and Grant Gavin—have all since departed the organization through various means, including trades, releases, or free agency. This means that after four years, the Rockies have nothing tangible left from the highly anticipated Nolan Arenado trade.

Broader Implications of the Arenado Trade Disaster for the Colorado Rockies

The complete failure of the Nolan Arenado trade returns raises serious and pressing concerns about the Colorado Rockies’ player evaluation, development systems, and long-term strategic planning. The organization gambled on unproven talent and speculative prospects in exchange for a franchise icon and a guaranteed superstar, and they have been left with virtually nothing to show for it. This outcome serves as a crucial cautionary tale about the significant risks of trading established superstars for uncertain prospects, particularly for a team already grappling with fundamental roster construction issues and a challenging market.

Moving forward, the Colorado Rockies must urgently reassess their approach to talent acquisition. This could involve focusing on better scouting, implementing improved player development programs, or adopting a more aggressive stance in free-agent signings. The legacy of the Nolan Arenado trade is now unequivocally one of missed opportunities and a profound miscalculation, forcing the franchise to confront hard questions about its organizational structure and future direction in Major League Baseball.

In conclusion, the release of Austin Gomber marks the definitive end of the Colorado Rockies' disastrous return from the Nolan Arenado trade. This saga serves as a harsh lesson on the perils of trading a franchise cornerstone for prospects that fail to pan out, leaving the Rockies in dire need of a complete strategic overhaul to regain competitiveness.