While Nolan Arenado’s contract status looms large over Colorado’s offseason, the Rockies first must deal with other important roster decisions as Friday’s non-tender deadline approaches.

Players not offered a contract prior to the 6 p.m. MT deadline are non-tendered, thereby making them free agents. In addition to Arenado, shortstop Trevor Story, catcher Tony Wolters and pitchers Chad Bettis, Jon Gray, Tyler Anderson and Scott Oberg are also arbitration eligible.

Left-handed reliever Chris Rusin avoided arbitration by signing a one-year contract deal on Thursday. The deal is worth $1.69 million.

Rusin, 32, was one of baseball most-dependable relievers in 2017, going 5-1 with a 2.65 ERA over a career-high 85 innings. He struck out 71 and walked only 19. But 2018 was an injury-filled disaster. Rusin spent time on the disabled list stints for an oblique injury and plantar fasciitis, and finished with a 2-3 record and a 6.09 ERA. Rusin, however did perform better late in the season.

“Chris Rusin is a candidate to rebound,” general manager Jeff Bridich said earlier this month. “I know he was disappointed by this season. It certainly was frustrating for him after his 2017, but there is better pitching in there. We’ve seen it out of him, and he can rebound well next year.”

Arenado made $17.75 million in 2018 as he led the National League with 38 home runs, finished third in the MVP voting and added another Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and all-star appearance to his resume.

It’s a safe bet that Colorado’s cornerstone player would earn a bigger arbitration salary than any in history, with MLB Trade Rumors projecting his $26.1 million arbitration salary to surpass the record $23 million that Josh Donaldson earned last year.

Whether Colorado will ink the 27-year-old to a long-term mega-deal, re-sign him to a one-year contract with the risk of Arenado walking as a free agent after the 2019 season or trade him this offseason remains to be seen. For now, Bridich must weigh the merits of the six other arbitration-eligible players. Related Articles Josh Fuentes would embrace utilityman role after standout Rockies season

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Arenado is in his fourth and final year of arbitration, while Bettis is entering his second second year of arbitration and Story, Wolters, Gray, Anderson and Oberg are all in their first.

Colorado has a full 40-man roster, and Bettis (who battled finger blister issues in 2018 and whose spot in the rotation is questionable) and Wolters (hit a team-low .170) are possible candidates to be non-tendered in order to clear roster space for offseason acquisitions.

Meanwhile, Story’s all-star and Silver Slugger season might have the 26-year-old in line for a multi-year deal. A bigger payday is also likely for Scott Oberg (8-1, 2.45 ERA), who emerged as Colorado’s best reliever over the final couple months of the season and is projected to fill the bullpen void left by fellow right-hander Adam Ottavino’s free agency.

Despite the struggles of Gray and Anderson throughout 2018, indications are each player will be offered a contract. Colorado hopes Gray can pitch better and be mentally tougher in big games, and hope Anderson can pitch a whole season with consistency.