Cardinals to trade top baseman after Sonny Gray deal with Red Sox

With Chaim Bloom stepping into the role of president of baseball operations, it was only a matter of time before the St. Louis Cardinals began reshaping their roster. Organizational change was expected, and it officially started with the decision to trade Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox, a move that signaled the beginning of a broader transformation.

Gray’s departure, however, won’t be the last. The Cardinals are clearly preparing for a bigger reset. After missing the postseason since 2022, the front office was forced to confront an uncomfortable reality: the current roster, as constructed, is no longer capable of competing at the highest level. Running the same core back once again would do nothing but delay the inevitable. The organization has recognized that change isn’t just optional—it’s essential.

Instead of simply patching holes, St. Louis appears ready to embrace a more significant shift. This new approach means that even some of the team’s most recognizable veterans could soon be wearing different uniforms. Chief among them is Nolan Arenado. The star third baseman has been at the center of trade speculation since the beginning of the 2025 season, and those rumors are only growing louder as the Cardinals lean further into what looks increasingly like a soft rebuild.

Arenado has always been fiercely competitive, and with the Cardinals no longer positioned as a realistic contender, it makes sense that he would want to pursue a better chance at winning elsewhere. Although he possesses a no-trade clause, it’s widely believed that he might now be more open to waiving it for the right opportunity. A fresh start with a team on the rise could be exactly what persuades him to approve a move.

One potential trade partner that stands out is the Los Angeles Angels. While the Angels aren’t universally viewed as immediate championship contenders, their recent activity suggests they are serious about changing that narrative. Their bold decision to acquire Grayson Rodriguez demonstrated a willingness to take risks and make aggressive moves to improve the club. That kind of ambition could be appealing to a player like Arenado, who wants to feel confident that the organization is heading in the right direction.

If the Angels can successfully sell Arenado on their long-term vision—one that includes meaningful investments, competitive roster building, and a push back into relevance—they could present an ideal destination. From the Cardinals’ perspective, a deal with Los Angeles could also make sense, especially if it brings back young talent or valuable assets that align with their new direction under Bloom.

For St. Louis, trading Arenado would be both symbolic and strategic. It would represent the end of an era while clearly signaling the beginning of a new one. While parting ways with a star of his caliber is never easy, it could provide the organization with much-needed flexibility and the resources required to retool for the future. Offloading a large contract and acquiring pieces that fit a long-term timeline may prove to be the smartest move they can make.

At the same time, Arenado would gain the opportunity to contribute to a franchise determined to rise again rather than remain stuck in mediocrity. For a player known for his intensity, leadership, and hunger to win, a fresh environment and renewed sense of purpose could reignite his impact both on and off the field.

The Cardinals’ recent decisions make one thing clear: the status quo is no longer acceptable. With new leadership in place and a more honest evaluation of where the team stands, bold moves are likely still ahead. The trade of Sonny Gray may have been just the opening act, and Nolan Arenado could very well be the next major name to depart. Whether the Angels or another motivated contender lands him, it seems increasingly certain that change is coming in a big way for both St. Louis and one of its biggest stars.

Cardinals must trade Nolan Arenado to Angels

At the moment, there is nothing particularly impressive about the Los Angeles Angels’ minor league system. According to MLB Pipeline’s prospect rankings, the organization only has two players listed in the top 100, and both are ranked outside the top 90. That kind of prospect depth is not typically enough to fuel a blockbuster deal for a player of Nolan Arenado’s caliber.

Because of this, it seems unlikely that Los Angeles would be willing to part with either of those few high-ranking prospects in a trade scenario. However, this lack of elite, high-end young talent is also precisely why the Cardinals may not view the Angels’ system as an ideal trade partner if their goal is to maximize long-term value from an Arenado deal.

Despite those limitations, the Angels could still emerge as one of the most motivated teams in the Arenado sweepstakes. Among all the potential suitors, Los Angeles may be the most desperate to make a significant move. Their recent struggles in free agency make it difficult for them to attract marquee talent unless they are willing to overpay or take on unfavorable contracts.

Outside of absorbing heavy financial commitments from other clubs, the Angels do not often find themselves in the position to land top-tier free agents. Trading for Arenado would allow them to bypass the competitive free-agent market and instead add an established superstar to their roster while taking a decisive step toward boosting their offense.

Adding Arenado would not only give the Angels another potent bat in the middle of their lineup, but it would also bring in an experienced veteran presence.

That type of leadership could prove invaluable to their younger players, many of whom are still developing and in need of guidance from someone who has been through playoff races and high-pressure situations. Arenado’s work ethic, consistency, and reputation as one of the best two-way third basemen in the game would set a standard for the clubhouse while helping to elevate the overall performance of the team.

The Angels also have an obvious and pressing need at third base. Anthony Rendon’s tenure with the team has effectively reached its conclusion, as injuries and declining production have left little optimism about a meaningful return to form. There is widespread belief that Rendon’s time with the organization, and perhaps with professional baseball altogether, is nearing its end.

Meanwhile, Yoan Moncada, who once represented a potential solution at the position, dealt with persistent injuries throughout the 2025 season and has now entered free agency. With no clear answer at the hot corner, Los Angeles would not need to rearrange much of its roster to slide Arenado directly into a position of immediate impact.

Another factor that could influence Arenado’s willingness to approve such a move is his personal connection to Southern California. He grew up in Newport Beach, which is only a short distance from Anaheim. While it is well known that, between the two Los Angeles-area teams, he would prefer to suit up for the Dodgers, the chance to return to his home region should not be overlooked.

At this stage in his career, proximity to family, familiarity with the area, and the comfort of playing near home could all play a role in his decision-making process. That emotional pull, combined with the opportunity to become the centerpiece of the Angels’ lineup, might be enough to make the idea of a trade more appealing than it would otherwise be.

From the Cardinals’ perspective, the primary objective in a Nolan Arenado trade is straightforward: obtain the best possible return. St. Louis is clearly in the midst of a transitional period, looking toward the future rather than focusing solely on immediate contention.

This shift makes it imperative that any deal involving a player of Arenado’s stature brings back meaningful assets, whether that be in the form of young players, draft capital, or financial flexibility. While the Angels may not have the most attractive farm system in baseball, they may be better positioned than most teams to absorb Arenado’s contract or assemble a trade package that makes sense for the Cardinals’ long-term goals.

Whether or not Arenado’s presence would single-handedly transform the Angels into a playoff contender is debatable. The team still has several holes to fill and would need contributions from multiple players to truly compete in a strong American League.

However, acquiring a proven All-Star like Arenado would undoubtedly move them closer to respectability and give them a legitimate star around whom they could build. In contrast, the Cardinals would be taking a firm step into the future, acquiring resources that could help reshape the franchise over the next several seasons.

In that sense, a trade between these two organizations could be mutually beneficial, even if it does not immediately guarantee postseason success for Los Angeles. The Angels would gain star power, stability at a key position, and leadership, while the Cardinals would receive the best value available for a cornerstone player as they continue the process of retooling and rebuilding their roster for years to come.

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