While Red Sox fans are dreaming of a miracle that would land Juan Soto in Boston, the star outfielder isn’t the only power hitter the team could pursue this offseason. If free agency doesn’t yield results, the Red Sox could turn to the trade market to strengthen a roster that has missed the playoffs for three straight years.
One of the top names currently available via trade is St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. With the Cardinals beginning a rebuild and focusing on younger talent, they are open to moving on from the eight-time All-Star, who will turn 34 before next season.
In his most recent season with St. Louis, Arenado posted a .272/.325/.394 slash line, hitting 16 home runs and driving in 71 runs.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Arenado could be a trade target for several teams, including the Boston Red Sox, as highlighted in a piece for Bleacher Report.
MLB Rumors: Red Sox Named Potential Suitors for Nolan Arenado
To accommodate Arenado, the Red Sox would need to make some roster adjustments. Adding a third baseman would require Rafael Devers to transition to playing first base full-time.
Trading Triston Casas and shifting Devers from third base would bolster Boston’s defense, which is likely to be a priority this offseason. This makes the Red Sox’s interest in Arenado understandable from chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s perspective.
However, a significant hurdle to any potential deal is Arenado’s no-trade clause. For any trade between the Cardinals and another team to go through, the five-time Silver Slugger must approve it. Given Arenado’s California roots and his childhood allegiance to the Dodgers, the reigning World Series champions could hold an advantage over other teams.
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