Third baseman Nolan Arenado is a logical trade candidate with the Cardinals planning a reset year. As the Cards assess the interest, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports that Arenado is willing to move to first base with a new club, or at least play the hot corner less often.
Arenado has long voiced a desire to compete, which is what spurred his trade from Colorado to St. Louis years ago. He also declined an opportunity to opt-out of his contract after 2022, seemingly content with the Cardinals’ status as perennial contenders. But their performance has sagged in recent years, causing them to pivot to a focus on player development and less on immediate contention, at least for 2025 but perhaps longer.
With that near-term future outlook, it makes sense to consider trading some players that aren’t part of the long-term plans. Arenado is turning 34 years old in April and has three years left on his contract, so there’s logic to the club making him available. He has a no-trade clause but it makes sense that he would have some openness to waiving it, given his desire to compete and win. Woo reports that Arenado has not demanded a trade but was receptive to the idea when president of baseball operations John Mozeliak discussed it with him.
It’s not uncommon for players to be willing to change positions in order to expand their possible landing spots. This offseason, free agents like third baseman Alex Bregman and shortstop Willy Adames are reportedly willing to move to other infield spots. Both are strong defenders at their positions, but it’s a sensible tactic in keeping one’s market as wide open as possible.
With Arenado, it makes a little bit less sense. Over the past couple of years, his offense has declined but he has still been a valuable player thanks to his third base defense. He has slashed .269/.320/.426 over the two most recent campaigns, offense that translates to a 104 wRC+, barely above league average. However, FanGraphs has still calculated him as being worth about three wins above replacement in each those seasons (2.7 in 2023 and 3.1 in 2024), thanks to his strong glovework.
Arenado has never played a position other than third, though he probably wouldn’t have much trouble moving across the diamond since first base is generally considered a less demanding position. But that would also deprive him of his best asset at this point in his career, unless his bat can rebound in a big way.
His willingness to move could perhaps be a factor if a club already had an excellent third baseman, with Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat (Bluesky link) speculating that the Padres are one such club. That team has Manny Machado, a strong third baseman in his own right, entrenched at third base as a franchise cornerstone. He is under contract for almost another decade, through 2033.
They have a bit less certainty at first base. Jake Cronenworth and Luis Arráez got most of the playing time there in 2024 but both are capable of playing second base. The Padres had Xander Bogaerts at the keystone for much of 2024 but he moved back to shortstop when Ha-Seong Kim got injured, and Kim is now a free agent. Arráez is also not a great defender, at secord or first base, so perhaps he would best fit in the designated hitter slot.
Theoretically, it’s possible that the club could have an infield of Machado, Bogaerts, Cronenworth and Arenado from left to right, with Arráez in the DH spot. From time to time, Machado could get a breather as the DH, with Arenado moving to third and Arráez playing first.
There are also other reasons why the fit could make sense, as Arenado previously played for Padres manager Mike Shildt when Shildt was skipper in St. Louis. Arenado is also a Southern California native. That has often led to rumors of him eventually being traded to the Dodgers, but the fit there is a bit trickier. The Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani taking up the DH spot, Freddie Freeman at first and Max Muncy at third. Theoretically, they could acquire Arenado and trade Muncy, though it’s unclear if they have any desire to do so. Muncy’s defense is a bit behind Arenado’s but he’s been better at the plate lately, having slashed .218/.342/.481 over the past two years for a 124 wRC+.
It would perhaps be simpler for the Padres to just acquire a first baseman and for Arenado to go to a club with a gap at third base. The Red Sox are reportedly thinking of moving Rafael Devers to first and could replace him at the hot corner by acquiring Arenado. Teams like the Blue Jays, Mariners, Astros, Nationals, Brewers, Tigers, Mets and Phillies have been connected to free agents like Bregman or Adames, or are at least speculative fits for a new third baseman. Arenado’s no-trade clause means that he would get to determine whether or not he goes to those clubs and it’s unknown how he would feel about them in terms of their ability to contend or how much their respective geographic locations would matter to him.
On top of all that, the Cardinals will have to assess what other clubs are willing to offer in return. Though the Cards are planning to run a lower payroll in 2025, they don’t really need to move Arenado’s contract in order to accomplish that. RosterResource already projects them to be about $35MM lower than they were in 2024, so cost savings shouldn’t be the priority here. To that end, Woo reports that they won’t move Arenado just to move him or dump salary.
A trade would presumably only come together if the Cardinals feel they are getting something of value in return. Perhaps they could eat some the remainder of Arenado’s contract in order to line up on a deal. He is owed $74MM over the next three seasons though some of that money is deferred and the Rockies are also still on the hook for $5MM this coming season. In addition to adding some young talent in the trade, the Cards could also use their reset year to give Arenado’s playing time to players like Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, Thomas Saggese or others.
For a team like the Padres, like they might prefer the Cardinals to eat some money, since their payroll has been such an issue in recent years. They dialed back spending after 2023, dealing Juan Soto to the Yankees, and avoided the competitive balance tax. Going into 2025, RosterResource projects their payroll to be about $40MM above 2024 levels before making any significant offseason moves, with their CBT a bit over the line already as well. On the other hand, they have traded away a lot of prospects in recent years and might not want to further deplete their farm just to awkwardly wedge Arenado into their infield mix.
Woo’s reporting also adds that no deal is close to being completed, but she adds that things could pick up at the Winter Meetings, which take place from December 8 to 11.
More contenders need 3rd base defense over 1st. That’s where his value is
I think this is just Arenado saying “let me out!”
Saw somewhere that the only real team that would need him as a 1B and not a 3B is the SDP.
Or, he’s not interested in waiving his no trade for a club like Boston.
Eric Andre style
Joemo …. set my people free…..
You mean you read it in the article you are commenting on? See somewhere how bad is your short term memory?
He’s still an above-average 3B glove. That’s Arenado telling teams to make their offers to the Cards and he’ll do whatever it takes on his new team.
Arenado should Stick it to Mozeliak and stay in St. Louis for 2024 to colllect his $32 million!!
Just because Mozeliak lied to him about building a pennant contender to get him to Opt-In to his contract.
In 2025 —- Arenado could work with Bloom and sign anywhere he’d like to go!!!
Not just contenders, more Teams need 3B than 1B. Why anyone would trade for Arenado and play him somewhere other than 3B is just silly. If you need more bat, Alonso is available for similar money and no prospects.
Because fielding metrics suck so bad here are other, and at times better stats for 2024. PO. 103 Arenado 1st. Assists 280 4th.
Fielding percentage .977 1st. Innings 4th. Try some critical thinking.
Fielding pct. means he fielded successfully 97.7 of the time. But that is just balls he got to. Some 3B just don’t get to near the balls that Chapman, Arenado & others get to. So fielding pct. has it’s flaws which you mentioned. Entirely possible an infielder makes more errors than another and is still GG worthy.
Correcto. I want science to incorporate all ot can to evaluating and understanding Baseball. But unfortunately the next shiny stat or evaluactión can have seriously flaws. I argue against many advanced defensive metrics because I no they have problems. Why is innings played important? Because of the aggregate numbers a team has! This is why Molina should be a first ballot HOFer.
About 4 years ago, before I moved to Mexico I was watching a Cardinal game and a batter smoked a sinking line drive into the last center field gap, and Harrison Bader made an unbelievable diving catch. Full extentión, with a great jump, and snagged the ball. I would argue his best ever and those who know him know he has made plenty. It was a National broadcast, and the announcers quoted a statistic suggesting 73% of players would have made the catch. I broke out in hysterical laughter. 98 or 99 would have been argueable. Baseball is complex, and just because a new stat might be argueably meaningful doesn’t mean it stands up to critique.
astros?
The only scenario I see him traded to HOU is to play at 3B after Bregman signs elsewhere.
Astros may decide they don’t like Bregman’s price and just move on. They don’t have to wait til he signs elsewhere.
I think Jim Crane says “Keep Alex.” But if he doesn’t, plenty of teams will line up for him. Rock solid player and not yet old.
Detroit could use him too if Bergman is too expensive. Especially if Cards will take Javy and a couple prospects
I actually had that idea myself. Baez would only compete for a backup middle infield spot in spring training (Stl carried Brandon Crawford’s dried corpse most of the season so the bar is already pretty low) or be released, so his inclusion in the trade would be solely to offset the money, but what about something like
Arenado, Willson Contreras (solving Detroit’s catching problem) and 1B Luken Baker
for
Torkelson, Jaden Hamm and Baez?
Cards hope Torkelson regains some of his lost luster and has Hamm to dream on while shedding some salary (Contreras) while Detroit gets an offensive boost and can look to solve the 1B problem elsewhere.
Cardinals want to shed payroll so taking on the Baez contract doesn’t make any sense…plus Contreras has already said he doesn’t want to be traded…so that’s a no go
Cards have said they DON’T have to shed payroll, and yet trading Contreras WOULD do so so I’m sure they’d love that. I acknowledge Contreras would have to waive his NTC but if he wants to still be a catcher, and even remain in the Midwest, he might waive it. Especially since Detroit just made the playoffs.
I understand the optimism behind your deal but the cardinals also have plenty of players they want to give third base a try…no way would they take on Baez contract…it’s wishful thinking I understand but I’m telling you now it’s not part of their plan to take on money..the trade itself isn’t bad but you must understand the cardinals wouldn’t want it…now the prospects you mentioned and a little money they could eat maybe…but no way they take Baez
Rangers and trade Lowe to pirates.
I actually like the trades that have been sending Lowe to the Yanks if Texas does decide to move on
Rangers would be more likely to move Jung to 1B.
This is Arenado waiving the white flag to get out of St.Louis as there are zero teams in MLB aside from the Padres and maybe, maybe the Orioles that he might help more at 1B than at 3B
Maybe his way to get traded without asking for a trade.
Rangers don’t have the budget for that.
Cardinals are paying some $$$ to whoever trades for him.
Maybe not, Detroit has Javy lol
When does Javy’s current deal end? He’ll be in for a rude awakening when he reaches free agency again.
After 2027, but I suspect he’ll be a true free agent long before then, with Detroit footing the bill and some other team extending him a spring training invite….maybe as soon as 2026.
Thanks.
so would I
Wow…not sure how many MLB first baseman would agree that 1st base is a”less demanding position” than 3rd base…..and should be an easy transition…..that’s a reach of a comment at best….
It’s a physically less demanding position anyone who understands baseball would tell you that. I don’t know if that guarantees an easy transition but 1b is easier to play on your body.
You see a lot of first basemen move to 3rd at any point of their career?
lol if you can’t wrap your head around why 3B is more difficult then that comment alone should speak volumes to you.
One is called the hot corner and one is called the cold corner
Never in my life have I ever heard of the cold corner.
In a pre-DH MLB First Base and Right Field is where you would hide your best slugging/worst defensive players. When you think back to the likes of Cecil and Prince Fielder, John Kruk and other “rounder” types and First Base isn’t usually where your best athletes are found
I think 1st base defense can be underrated, but to suggest it takes a similar skills set to play as a GG third baseman is folly!
The only smart thing blackpink in the area has ever said was disparaging your comment. You should be horrifically embarrassed.
With all the lefty swinger’s out there, first base becomes a hot corner. But they put defensively challenged guys there for sure. Might explain why the league leading hitters are mostly lefties! I know everytime I watch Candelario butcher first base, I cringe.
Tell me how a 6 time platinum glove winner is willing to move to first. He must really hate the Cardnials
He just wants a better opportunity to win.
He got out of that dumpster fire in Colorado and went to St Louis. That wasnt good enough, now he wants out of St Louis, too? If he was so concerned about winning, he could have signed with the Dodgers or Yankees for whatever they were willing to offer at the time. But he took the highest bid and signed the bloated $270M contract, then opted in recently to collect every last nickel. The trade requests are getting a little tired at this point
If he hated the Cardinals, he would not have passed on his opt-out two years ago (and more money elsewhere) to remain in St. Louis. He’s been consistent in his desire to play for a team that can get to the post-season. It’s why he pushed Colorado to trade him, and why he’d be receptive to leaving St. Louis for a team more committed to winning in 2025. It’s not like he wants out to play for the White Sox or something.
Ironically, he made exactly the same number of playoffs with the Cards as he did with the Rockies, with exactly the same result (one loss in the WC game, one loss in the WC series). True he played 3 more seasons with the Rox, but the Cards don’t look like a playoff team for the next couple seasons.
Mostly what a player desires is to play for a contender. Cards yes, Rockies, no!
Don’t think he hates them either, but knows he hasn’t got many years left to get a ring
No his defense has dropped dramatically. He is saying this so his stock rises and more teams become interested. It’s pretty simple really.. I would almost call it common sense. Must be your first year watching baseball. Gotta start somewhere I guess.
Hitting 5% above league average while playing 1B is not appealing at Arenado’s salary.
You’d literally be paying for the name on the back of the jersey. Those kind of guys can be had for a fraction in FA.
Defensive meters suggest Nolan was a top 3 Defense 3b in the NL last year. 9.6 Def W.
Hard for me to be kind in this reply. Is Arenado the perrenial GG third baseman, no no but he is still in the conversation, and for you to suggest says more about your lack of knowledge tha anything.
He saw what bloom did in Boston and wants out
As a Rangers fan I hate to say this, but this has New York Yankees written all over it!!!!
It has either New York team written on it.
I agree depending on Soto.
Yeah, in fact I’ve seen it posited that Helsley get traded with Arenado to move his contract.
If Soto signs with the Mets, I could certainly see this as a plausible Yankees trade.
And on the bright side, DJ makes Arenado look like prime Bonds on offense.
Arenado is a perfect fit for the Yanks, they can play him at first and play the young guy Durbin at second with Jazz playing 3rd.; or they play him at 3rd and move Jazz back to second
@slider Am I missing something? Nolan tamed 3rd in DefW in the NL at 9.6. Why move him to a position he’s not familiar with. Assuming Soto come back to play LF and they give Dominguez the CF job, then that leaves 2 of 3 positions that need to be addressed. 3b, SS and 1b (assuming Torres is gone). Since Nolan is a gg caliber 3b and Jazz can play 2b I think it’s better to place each at their natural positions and search for a 1b, which should be an easier and less expensive position to fill. And I’m not sure that Ben Rice wouldn’t be a good option to try at 1b too. But I think until the metrics or eyeball show significant fall off then Nolan is a 3b
Great points!
Clip,
Any of the Yankees Double A teams can do a better job than DJ both offensively and defensively. Arenado playing 3B would move Jazz to 2B, and that would give you a much better defense too.
Should have Red Sox written all over it, Chiam owes them…
He can take his darling yoshida back and call it even.
Yoshida has zero appeal. A DH who can’t hit is equivalent to a car without a motor; it takes up space you’d rather use in some other way.
He hits decently well but he can’t play the field and he’s a lefty which is not a fit on Boston. He could still help a team
Age, contract and performance check out.
Who wants an aging player who hit 106 and 102 wRC+ in the last two seasons while playing at a position he’s never played in the majors before?
Who wants 106 or 102 wRC+ from their first baseman?
Even his defense at 3rd has taken a hit the last few seasons.
He may want off a sinking ship. The problem is that he’s one of the reasons the ship is sinking.
His defense at 3b is because he was having shoulder problems. The question is if those problems were temporary or permanent and I really dont know.
The team won 83 games last year the ship really isn’t sinking. But yes his performance makes a big difference. If him and Goldschmidt played better last year the team could have made the playoffs.
Nah. Watch him from his prime (basically until 2022) on defense. It’s a different player than last two seasons. SO much quicker. Nothing to do with his arm.
It’s his shoulder
Wrong again!!! He still makes plays no other 3rd Baseman in Baseball can. 9 errors with more chances than any other 3rd baseman. Get a club!
You mean ‘who wants a 3 win 3B’?
Loads of teams do.
Perhaps. Not one that makes $35m and is declining fast, by most measures. The guy who replaced him in Colorado — Ryan McMahon — is now a better player (and is also available, fwiw).
He’s not making 35 million a year and the Rockies are paying some of his salary. He’s owed 64 million over the next 3 years from the Cardinals.
You may be right about McMahon, I don’t see him enough to intelligently argue, but I do know your take on Arenado is embarressingly inane!
True, Robbly.
His value isn’t in a vacuum; it’s compared to what another team currently has or can acquire. The market isn’t flush with even average third basemen (aside from Bregman), and teams like the Mets (moving Vientos to 1B), Yankees, Tigers, Astros, maybe Phillies, Toronto etc. all have openings and would improve with Arenado at the hot corner.
As for the money, that can always be manipulated, either via less in return or with another bad contract coming back. If I’m any of the above, I’m interested in Nolan.
Smart!
“I’d be willing to decrease my trade value in order to make a trade happen.”
Ok.
Move to 1B to do what exactly? He has shown no signs of slowing down defensively at 3B.
Yes he has. His shoulder has bothered him off and on the last 2 years. The question is if it’s a permanent issue or not.
The first part of 23 he was hurt and it cost him defensively. He was the same Arenado in 24, defensively.
Arenado wasnt a finalist for a GG in 2023. He was again this year and here is why: He is much slower and has less range now. In 2023 he was fighting against it all year, in 2024 he accepted it and didn’t go for balls he knows he can no longer get to. He looked liked he played a lot deeper last year too. Not going for balls that will be really tough plays don’t count against you in your defensive metrics.
This tells me he really wants out. He may approve a trade to any contender
I am not sure this Katie Woo knows what she’s talking about. The more teams he’s willing to accept a trade to the livelier he is to get dealt that’s for sure.
Why on earth would anyone want him to play 1b for their team? The 1b market is loaded with free agents. His value is in his defense not his offense.
This Katie Woo seems like a bozo. She just says all kinda of stupid stuff.
If only to open the option of a team playing him there part of the time (young 3b etc..). Katie has been pretty reliable I think.
I suppose he could play 1b part time in a platoon situation for a lefty 1b. I guess that could make some sense. Not sure what team that would be.
casas, with devers getting some field time as a form of appeasement. otherwise the angels are a pretty interesting fit as a hometown team without a 3B, and some use for a platoon for schanuel too at first. fits with their general vibe of additions, too
No way the angels spend that much on third baseman. They still have to pay Rendon for a few more years.
you think they’d pay $21 mill to a #3 starter to be their ace, but not $21 mill to get rendon’s name out of their lineup once and for all? of all the reasons to negate the idea, money seems pretty low on the list
Woo’s good. I imagine Arenado’s agent just asked her to do a favor in case the Padres bite.
You scratch my back Katie, I’ll get you some insider content next season from Nolan.
He’s better than anyone Detroit put at 1st or 3rd last season and they were a playoff team
Arenado has earned a shot on a competitive squad – it’s time.
Cardinals won the division in 2022. The team was a playoff team at the trade deadline in 2024.
Arenado clearly doesn’t see it that way. I’d be willing to play goalie for the Blues, were I Arenado, and I knew Chaim Bloom was taking over.
Arenado is a front runner. The league needs a salary cap so it doesn’t become college football.
A front runner? He is a future hall of famer and has played in more losses than any active player. Of course he wants an opportunity to win. Foolish comment.
More losses than any active player? I didn’t even know that was a stat. Where did you find that information?
Correcto!
Dude this isn’t the Dark Ages. Is math difficult for you?
Does he not understand how he provides value as a baseball player?
The report does not say he wants to play 1B, just that he’d be willing to play 1B if that’s what another team wants.
One would think a player willing to play either 3B or 1B would provide more value than one playing only one position but
Here’s the problem with this particular idea: it stinks like garbage.
I don’t know……Nolan’s bat looks like it could be the poster child for a needy Bluchew pill customer. He’s 33 and owed around 3/$64 after deducting what the Rocks are contributing.
You must not watch him play!
Jays might be interested. Vlad and Nolan sharing first and third could be done. But the Jays or anyone are not taking that entire salary. Unless the Cards add their closer into the trade and that would cover taking his salary and some decent prospects.
There’s zero chance of Arenado and Helsley being moved together. Helsley has significant value and should net a Top 100ish prospect. The Cardinals don’t have to trade Arenado. If they do now, they are selling low on an asset. Why not hold on, hope his production improves, then trade him at the deadline or next winter?
because there will be a market for him now, which you cannot guarantee at the deadline. even another league average year offensively and the cards would have to cover considerably more than they would now to get a deal done. they should deal him to get a head start on the next chapter.
I think he makes sense for the Jays but I doubt he accepts a trade there. The Jays were bad in 2024, worse than the Cardinals. And they might be losing Guerrero after 2025.
Dodgers, Yankees and Mets. That’s what makes sense.
Detroit would be a fit, if some dollars come with him.
That’s another where I like the fit but don’t think he would accept a trade there. The Tigers have some young infielders the Cardinals could be interested in.
The Blue Jays also didn’t have Bichette for almost all of 2024. He’s what drives that offense.
I think Cleveland is a dark horse here. They could use him at first. I doubt they would ask Ramirez to move.
Who wants a guy who keeps abandoning ship. Looks like his prime years are over and he’s on the decline. Cooked!
Remember that he opted into his contract when he was coming off an MVP level season. He’s a team player until the team loses interest in doing what it takes to get to the post season. I can’t blame him there. Remember, the Cardinals approached him about being traded. I can’t speak to what happened in Colorado.
@CardsFan57
What happened to him competing this year?
I couldn’t say. He’s constantly tinkering with his swing trying to improve. He may have tinkered too much. I really don’t think anyone works harder than he does
He has been lost offensively for the past two years. He just needs to get back to pulling the ball and stop trying to hit to other fields. This is what has made him so bad in clutch situations. He has no business batting 3rd or 4th. Move him down to 6th or 7th and with his still very solid defense, he is still a valuable player.
This comment is meaningless, and that is being gentle.
So strange to focus this article so much on the Padres
I think it’s strange to not even consider the possibility of the Dodgers moving Muncy back to 2B.
With his drop in both offense, and defense, and considering his age, the Cards would need pick up a large portion of his remaining contract for me to be comfortable giving any prospects of worth up for him. This is a risk for any team making the trade for him.
I think his trade value is roughly negative 10 million or so. Keep in mind his salary goes down the next few years and Colorado is paying some of it. He’s owed 3 years 64 million from the Cardinals right now.
Stink knows everything except he doesn’t.
Nobody is paying Arenado $54 million for 3 years. Absolutely nobody, except the Cardinals.
How’s his second base defense? Think he could handle it?
I know quite a few teams who would be in on him as a 2B if he can provide same level of defense.
He is smart to do anything possible to get off that sinking ship and away from that cesspool organization. He should have known better to demand a trade there in the first place. I have always respected NA despite his time in that terrible place that is destined for multiple last place finishes as it deserves. Hopefully he lands somewhere with a chance to win because it won’t be in cesspool east missouri anytime soon.
Show me on the doll where the Cardinals touched you.
Yeah you might be an idiot…….
you are from Iowa, shouldn’t be calling out east missouri like that
Yeah, ever been to Waterloo?
This is the most passive-aggressive thing a player has said this year.
“I will move to a position that tanks my value. Just get me out of here.”
Tip of the hat, Nolan
he has practically no trade value
A player signed through his age 36 season probably isn’t concerned about building his value. At that age the first consideration is finding a team that will sign you to play somewhere.
no one wants his washed ass at 1B
You can learn something new here every day.
Washed ass? What is the matter with you?
Maybe he’s thinking of a bidet.
Yeah, any team that acquires him will do so fir his glove at this stage.
Handwriting is on the wall in St Louis. Bloom will take this year to shed as much money as possible so he can start to make his mark. Wouldn’t be surprised if there is some sort of trade to Boston due to the familiarity between Bloom and them. As a pirates fan I fear Casas may end up a cardinal
Bloom’s mark will be shedding the payroll as far as it can go. When that’s done, he’ll be gone from the bad records, but that will have always been the plan.
I think it’s funny that this guy whined his way out of Colorado because he wanted to play for a winner and now the Cardinals suck. Maybe HE’S the loser.
St. Louis basically gave up nothing for Goldy and him, but they couldn’t lead their team to a World Series. I believe you are correct on this one
He signed with the Rockies under Monfort’s pretense that the team was planning to competitive. Montfort lied.
Nolan Arenado must realize he is washed-up. Much of his value over his career was his defense at third base. Not sure what team would want his declining bat at first base…
Just sign Santana or Telez if you want an okay bat at first base.
@JerseyShoreScore
He still have great defense but yes, his bat is done.
You know nothing.
Old is right. It’s you who knows nothing.
It’s his own fault to be in this situation. He should have opted out when he had the chance the cardinals were never going to seriously be a contender the cards owner fooled him easily
Thanks for making me laugh Butter.
Yankees could use him at 1st and 3rd. Make the trade.
Rockies fan here. We’ll give you Austin Gomber for him.
Clear fit with the Astros. Not likely we resign Bregman. Covers 3rd while young guys develop at 1B. Or we sign Breggie and slide him to 3rd.
I dunno, man. Last expensive aging vet with declining power numbers that Crane brought in; flopped. Abreau fiasco to recent a memory to try this route, again?
Arenado has been a league average hitter the last few seasons. His value comes from his defense. Even if he has lost a step, he is still a really good defensive 3B. If a team trades for him they will want to maximize his value by having him play 3B, not 1B.
At first base seems like a great fit for the pirates but trade between division probably wouldn’t happen. His control puts him through the pirates time table and with pitchers like Skenes and Jones its their time to push. Would almost assuredly require the cardinals to eat some cash but with the Rockies also eating some doesn’t seem like it would be too bad for the pirates. Cards eat 10m total along with the Rockies eating 10m.. seems pretty palatable for someone who can do both corners if/when Hayes is hurt.
What probably fits better would be a three team trade if Pittsburgh is involved. With Nolan going to LA and Muncy going to Pittsburgh. Assuming LAD has any real interest.
I would like to point out that the money remaining on Cronenworth’s contract and the money due Arenado is almost exactly the same amount.
Just saying.
This is meaningless. No one is trading for his $64M (net)/3 contract to play 1st. He simply doesn’t hit enough. I don’t think anyone would trade for that contract even to play 3rd, but that’s at least close. But $21M to play 1st with a .719 OPS last year? I seriously doubt it.
Exactly. Christian Walker might not get that much. You aren’t paying Arenado close to that much unless you think he’s going to return to being a plus defensive 3B.
He still IS a plus defensive 3B. Look at his defensive fWar and you’ll see he remains one of the best 3B in the game, just not the incredible 3B he once was.
Thanks, you are knowledgeable!
If I were the RS, and we moved Devers to DH, I still don’t think I’d pay $64M/3 for Arenado. He’s certainly not bad, but he is going to be 34 to start next season, and age catches up quickly.
The Yankees always overpay for guys in Mr. Arenado’s position.
Their fans may well be the least knowledgeable baseball fans in North America. They don’t keep up with any team other then their own because no one else is worth their attention. They go by past reputation, not recent play. They’ll figure that Arenado always secretly wanted to be a Yankee, and putting on the uni will spur
him to new heights.
Mostly they’ll buy tickets and Yankee merchandise with his name on it.
Get it done Buster Posey! Wade and prospect(s) for Arenado and stick him at 1B. Yes Please!
I’m good with that
Wilmer Flores is basically the same guy.
Flores is an AWFUL defender and has hit more than 20HRs once in his career
Please!
No.
Doesn’t 1st base kinda make him way less useful
If Nolan is saying this, he’s definitely getting traded. That’s a signal to GMs to hit the Cards up for offers even if you don’t need a 3b.
*plenty of teams need a 3b. Looking at you, Cash. Get him in.
Dodgers. Muncy backs up 3b, 2b, 1b, and DH. DH when otani pitches. Spells Freddie, plays a bit over Lux sometimes. Just makes sense!
It makes no sense for the Dodgers to trade for a pricey player in a downward spiral. Muncy is a better offensive player and adequate with the glove. Max also has a better contract situation—$14.5M in 2025, with a team portion at $10M in 2026. Why trade for a player who wouldn’t improve the team? Unless some team is desperate, Arenado will remain the Cardinals’ problem.
By the way, Ohtani is the DH on days when he pitches.
Is Arenado an upgrade over the current alignment? Debatable, but in the scenario described Muncy plays most days, just not every day at the same position. In this case Lux is traded. When he played for the Angels, Ohtani had the day off after he pitched. I presume the Dodgers will do the same, so they will need another DH once a week.
The redbirds will have to eat a pretty big part of Arenado’s contract to move him. I think everybody understands that.
Arenado isn’t an upgrade for the Dodgers, especially when they can make trades and signings more conducive to winning. Anyone who has watched Arenado for the last two years will notice the slippage. He’s not that player anymore. Also, Muncy is not a utility player. He’s best used as the everyday third baseman. There is no need for Arenado when they can use their resources better elsewhere.
Re Ohtani: In his last three seasons with the Angels, he didn’t sit the day after he pitched. He was in the lineup as the DH.
2021: G – 155; PA – 639
2022: G – 157; PA – 666
2023: G – 135; PA – 599 (missed final 25 games with an injury)
He would be an upgrade over Lux. Enough of an upgrade to be worth it? I don’t know — so I don’t see the point of debating that. But I would debate the definition of a utility player in today’s game. A player who plays multiple positions but is in the lineup almost every day is not a utility player. Defensive flexibility is considered to be a much more valuable skill now than it used to be. Remains to be seen how the Dodgers handle Ohtani when he begins pitching again, but I’d bet on him getting some days off. The Dodgers have a huge investment in him.
I think that depends entirely on the return. For a club already paying the luxury tax (Astros, Phillies), Stl may have to eat money but may be able to ask for a better trade return. For a team that isn’t paying the tax (Detroit, Toronto) or doesn’t care about money (we know which team that is), then they may choose to take the player at full freight in exchange for a minimal return. I think the Yankees could fall into either category, depending on where Soto lands; if elsewhere, they may grab Arenado, sign Walker and/or Santander/T Hernandez and consider it money well-spent.
I don’t consider the Dodgers a likely landing spot.
Arenado’s contract is under water. Cardinals will have to pay a pretty big chunk of it to trade him anywhere.
This guys offense isn’t good enough for 1B, especially on that contract. Almost his entire value is third base defense. This is an odd comment imo.
DD on line 2, “Hey I have Bohm and a lottery tix”
Cards get 2 yrs of control and could flip him for a better return.
So Miller can percolate at the club’s discretion.
For real, for real. I haven’t been invested in baseball talk or up on advanced metrics in the msg two years, but isn’t a DefW of 9 from fangraphs still pretty good? Are we off of that already? Honest question. I think Nolan brought up 1b just to increase the trade market to leave St Louis, but not because he’s no longer able to field the 3b position at above average level.
It’s like they are folllowing a set timeline to make the whole thing seem meaningless but get attention.
First confirm team will shed payroll to start media speculation of what that means. Trade veterans?
Next release players unwilling to waive NTC and leave out his name. Start speculation why isn’t he listed? Are they trading him? Did he ask to be traded?
Then confirm seeking options but player hasn’t waived his NTC.
Release willingness to be a team player somewhere
Trade Arenado
Leak Arenado actually asked out.
He would be wasted at 1B. Cmon.
First base is the same as third base.
“Muncy’s defense is a bit behind Arenado’s”
A bit?!?!?
According to Fangraphs, Arenado was 3rd in MLB with a 10.3 Defensive rating in 1268 innings. Among 3B who played at least 600 innings at the position, Muncy (with 602) was 18th with a 1.3. That’s one POINT three.
Rafael Devers was just two slots below Muncy.
For the record, Bregman was 5th, Jose Ramirez 11th, Machado 15th. Hopefully that puts into perspective just how far Arenado’s defense has “slipped.”
Hate seeing stuff like this. Sucks to suck.
Definitely. I have never been so disappointed in the Cardinals.
Why did Cardinals let go of Edmon?
Nado would kill that green monster as all of his power is pull hitting. Or do his doubles turn into singles?
He’s also open to catching.
Because Mozeliak lied to him about building a Pennant contending team around him, Arenado did not opt out of his contract!
Karma says —— I wish Arenado would balk at being traded in 2024 —
Just to make Mozeliak eat $32 million on the last season on Mozeliak’s contract!!!!
Once Mozeliak’s gone —— he can deal with Bloom as to where he’d want to play in 2025!!!