Speculation as to where St. Louis Cardinals star third baseman Nolan Arenado will play next season may soon come to an end.
Red Sox now favored to acquire Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado
MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reported on Sunday night that the Boston Red Sox are now perhaps Arenado’s favored destination at this juncture of the offseason (h/t MLB Deadline News):
“Nolan Arenado blocked a trade to Houston. If the Red Sox go hard after him, they won’t have trouble getting an approval. Sources tell me and @Sean_McAdam that the Red Sox are a preferred destination — if not the preferred destination — for Arenado:” Cotillo published on X.
Arenado has been with the Cardinals for the last four years running. They are the second franchise that he’s played for after he enjoyed a storied eight-year tenure with the Colorado Rockies.
At 33 years old, the California native has not lost a step, having been named an All-Star as recently as 2023 and a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and All-MLB Second Team Award recipient as recently as 2022. Last season, Arenado saw a slight reduction in counting stats with 16 home runs, 70 runs, and 70 RBIs, yet he sported a .272 batting average and .719 OPS. He also kept up his exemplary defense with an MLB-leading 103 putouts ana d .977 fielding percentage among all third basemen.
Throughout the offseason, the generational talent was linked to teams outside of the Astros such as the New York Yankees and New York Mets, who were both looking to fortify their ranks at first base — a position switch that Arenado cosigned if it meant that he could be dealt. The MLB landscape has since opened up and more suitors have sprung up for the eight-time All-Star.
Arenado could be major upgrade at 1st base for Red Sox
It now appears that there will be no hurdles for the Red Sox to acquire Arenado. Boston has an ensemble of third basemen currently including three-time All-Star starter Rafael Devers as well as Pablo Reyes, utility man Bobby Dalbec, and Romy Gonzalez. Their depth chart at first base is rather thin though, with Triston Casas as their starter and Dalbec behind him. Thus, Arenado could heighten the Red Sox’s infield by giving them another All-Star-caliber glove that can transition over to first.
This latest update in the Arenado situation could be the indicator that precedes news of a coming trade. The Red Sox could make a definitive splash this offseason with a deal of such magnitude and become more competitive in the American League East once more next time out.
