Veteran Arcia brings winning experience to Rockies

CHICAGO -- Only two seasons ago, Orlando Arcia was voted as the starting shortstop for the National League in the All-Star Game. He’s now looking to rediscover some of that success with a new organization.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Rockies officially announced the signing of Arcia to a Major League contract and activated him before the series finale against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. In a corresponding move, Aaron Schunk was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Arcia batted seventh as Colorado’s designated hitter in the 2-1 loss to Chicago, going 2-for-3 and raising his average from .194 to .235 and his OPS from .445 to .522. He led off the third inning with a single, and his base knock with a runner at first in the fifth gave the team its first of two total runners in scoring position.

“It was good to see in his first day with us,” Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said. “Get on base a couple times. Look forward to seeing that more often.”

Arcia was designated for assignment by the Braves on Friday and released two days later. Speaking in the visitor’s dugout at Wrigley Field pregame, Arcia expressed gratitude for his five seasons in Atlanta, which followed five years (plus the first four games of 2021) with Milwaukee.

“Every at-bat, every pitch, every play counts,” Arcia said through interpreter and third-base coach Andy González, when asked what he learned with the Braves. “I'm very grateful and thankful for the opportunity they gave me to play there. I learned a lot, and obviously, just play the game hard.”

Over the last two years, however, Arcia hasn’t played to the level that earned him his first All-Star selection in 2023.

That season, he posted a 99 OPS+ (100 is MLB average) and rated pretty well defensively (five outs above average, in the 87th percentile, per Statcast), finishing worth 2.4 fWAR. In 2024, his defensive metrics were pretty similar to ‘23 (4 OAA, 87th percentile), but his offensive production fell. He finished with a 73 OPS+, and he was worth only 0.8 fWAR.

This year, Arcia produced even less offensively (25 OPS+ in 32 plate appearances) and saw his defensive performance drop (-1 OAA, -1 fielding run value). He went from Atlanta’s Opening Day starting shortstop to making his last start on April 22. He played just 14 times in the Braves’ first 49 games, ultimately leading to his release.

Knowing there’s a business side to the game, Arcia has moved past Atlanta’s decision. He’s hoping to take on a bigger role with Colorado, regardless of what that looks like.

“It's always hard when you don't play every day to put up numbers, All-Star numbers,” Arcia said. “But now I'm here. I'm going to be open and available for everything and bring the type of game that I always bring.”

The Rockies reached out to Arcia’s agent pretty quickly, and he jumped at the opportunity. He said he doesn’t know the players personally, but from playing against them, he knows “there's a good group of guys” and is “here to help them in any way I can and just play the game the right way.”

Arcia made his MLB debut in 2016, and with 843 Major League games at shortstop under his belt, the 30-year-old Arcia could serve as a mentor to 23-year-old Ezequiel Tovar. Arcia said he’s open to helping Tovar in any way he can, which goes for anyone on the team who seeks his advice, too.

One thing that could be beneficial is his postseason experience. He’s appeared in at least one playoff game every year since 2018. He won a World Series ring with the Braves in 2021.

Colorado finished Wednesday at 9-47 and has lost its last 21 series dating back to September 2024. Arcia’s experience can hopefully be a valuable addition to a struggling ballclub.

“I think that helps the group,” Schaeffer said. “I think it helps everybody grow and know what it looks like to be a winning team, because we're learning that right now.”

Arcia isn’t guaranteed a starting role, and Schaeffer said he told him to be ready to play all four infield positions.

Schaeffer also told him to “help the young players and just be a part of the group. Get to be part of the group as soon as you can.”

That’s part of what he’s looking forward to doing as he begins his Rockies tenure.

“I'm here to motivate the guys and help them find the joy in the game and have fun,” Arcia said. “I'm going to be open to help anybody that needs help and wants help from me.”