Nolan Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals’ primary third baseman and a consistent Gold Glover, was said to be looking to trade a few weeks ago. Arenado still has almost $50 million left on his deal, so trading him would be challenging. The situation is further complicated by Arenado’s contract’s no-trade clause, which allows him to choose where he is traded if he want to be traded at all. The Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres were supposedly the last six teams left in the market for Arenado.
It is increasingly likely that the Cardinals will have to hold onto the talented infielder through 2025 after a few weeks of shopping for him. The actual list appears to be much less when considering the six teams to which Arenado has cleared a move.
Rafael Devers plays third base for the Red Sox. They could only have acquired Arenado by moving Devers to first base and trading away first baseman Triston Casas. Casas, who probably would have been the focal point of a trade for a starting pitcher, appears to be sticking in Boston after signing Walker Buehler. In Philadelphia, the situation is nearly the same. A star pitcher would have been acquired if the Phillies had pursued the notion of dealing All-Star Alec Bohm. However, Jesús Luzardo was bought without Bohm being moved, therefore he is probably going to stay a Phillie. Unless Arenado landed in their lap for as close to free as possible, the Dodgers don’t seem interested.
St. Louis even worth it at that point, when the Cardinals would have to be covering nearly the entirety of his contract? It’s been difficult to see the Padres as a viable alternative because of their infield stars. If the Mets don’t get Pete Alonso, they might turn out to be the ideal suitors. Arenado might also be acquired by the Angels through a trade. In any case, it appears that the third baseman’s market is currently badly exhausted. According to reports, he has previously canceled a trade to the Houston Astros after the New York Yankees failed to satisfy the Cardinals’ demands.
Leave a Reply