Middle infield depth has been a noticeable problem for the Colorado Rockies in 2025 and they are reportedly looking to add it, according to a new report. Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extra Base reports that the Rockies are in the final stages of contract negotiations with free agent infielder Orlando Arcia.

Arcia, 30, was recently released by the Atlanta Braves after clearing waivers to accommodate the return of Ronald Acuña Jr. In 14 games this season with the Braves, Arcia has batted .194/.219/.226 in 32 plate appearances.

Originally a product from Venezuela signed by the Milwaukee Brewers as an international free agent, Arcia made his big league debut at the age of 21 in 2016. From his first full season in 2017 through 2020, Arcia was a staple in the Brewers lineup up the middle and batted a modest .248/.297/.367 in 483 games. Needing some infield help, Atlanta originally acquired Arcia from the Brewers in 2021, in a deadline trade that sent right-handers Patrick Weigel and Chad Sobotka back to Milwaukee.

Arcia struggled in his first stint with Atlanta down the stretch, but the Braves liked him enough to sign him to a $3 million contract to buy out his final arbitration seasons with a club option for 2024. Taking up a utility capacity in 2022, Arcia began to settle in offensively with his new team, batting .244/.316/.416 in 268 plate appearances. In need of a shortstop following the departure of Dansby Swanson to the Chicago Cubs, the Braves settled on a new contract extension with Arcia to replace the previous one. He signed for a modest $7.3 million contract from 2023-25 with a club option for the 2026 season.

The signing looked to be a bargain bin stroke of genius as Arica slashed .294/.345/.424 with seven home runs en route to his first All-Star Game appearance. However, since that stellar first half, Arcia has seen his offensive production decline back to career levels. Dating back to August of that 2023 season, he’s batted a paltry .238/.292/.380 (83 wRC+) with a 20.4% strikeout rate and 6.8% walk rate.

His starting spot with the Braves became obsolete with the emergence of Nick Allen, who was acquired in a trade with the Athletics back in November. Despite being a light hitter, the Braves have preferred his slick glove work on the field, putting Arcia into a limited bench role.

Despite his .241/.294/.373 slashline over his 10-year career, Arcia’s staying power in the big leagues has always been his solid glove work. Primarily a shortstop, he owns a career .975 fielding percentage, having spent time at shortstop, second base, third base and left field. He has 2 Defensive Runs Saved in his career at shortstop and worth 14 Outs Above Average as well as 11 Field Run Value.

With Ezequiel Tovar locked in as the starting shortstop, the Rockies are likely looking at Arcia as a veteran depth piece to possibly take a spot on the bench or head to Triple-A Albuquerque. Injuries have thrown the middle infield in chaos since spring training, when free agent second baseman Thairo Estrada fractured his wrist. Estrada has yet to play with the Rockies this season but is currently on a rehab assignment and could join the team when they head to Miami next Monday. Tovar missed a month of games due to a hip injury but recently returned on May 16. The Rockies also lost depth pieces Owen Miller and Alan Trejo to free agency after they rejected outright assignments.

The Rockies’ other infield options on the current roster include rookie second baseman Adael Amador and utility infielders Aaron Schunk, Tyler Freeman, and Kyle Farmer. Outside of Farmer, there hasn’t been much success from the other utility options. Amador has seen an elevated amount of playing time and is likely to be optioned to Triple-A when Estrada comes back, but he has failed to crack through against big league hitting.

Down in Triple-A, the Rockies do have prospect shortstop Ryan Ritter, who is coming off back-to-back weeks winning the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week award, but his work at second base has been limited and the Rockies are perhaps not wanting to rush him up to the big leagues at this moment.

Should Arcia find himself in a bigger role with the Rockies, he could be seen as a trade chip at the deadline, should anything materialize or he regains some sort of quality offensive production off the bench. He would be owed just the prorated sum of the major league minimum as the Braves are on the hook for the $1.376 million of the $2 million owed to him this season. He also has a $2 million club option for 2026 with a $1 million buyout.

It’s a buy low depth piece for the Rockies, but how exactly he fits into their roster puzzle remains to be seen once the deal becomes official.