The Boston Red Sox are said to be interested in trade for star third baseman Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals.
According to Sean McAdam of MassLive, the Red Sox are considering moving Rafael Devers to first base. In turn, Boston would attempt to purchase Arenado from the Red Sox.
“Don’t rule out some Red Sox interest in Nolan Arenado,” McAdam wrote in a letter. “There has been some internal discussion about moving Rafael Devers from third base at some time. Arenado is also thought to be a viable backup plan. The Cardinals, who are closely monitoring their payroll, would be open to moving him if a team is ready to take on the majority of the remaining money. One potential stumbling block: Arenado has a complete no-trade clause.
Arenado’s name has surfaced in trade discussions, and McAdam believes the Red Sox are interested. The talented third baseman has three years remaining on his eight-year, $260 million contract. Arenado has won eight All-Star games, ten Gold Gloves, and five Silver Slugger awards.
Arenado hit.272 last season with the Cardinals, with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs.
How Would Arenado Fit in With The Red Sox?
If Boston does sign Arenado, he will be the team’s starting third baseman. It would also shift Devers to first base.
Devers is a below-average third baseman, committing 12 mistakes last season. That was his lowest error total in his career, having previously had seasons with 24, 22, twice, and 19 errors. Boston would be a far better fielding club with Arenado, and shifting Devers to first base fills a gap.
Currently, Triston Casas is Boston’s first baseman. So, putting Arenado and Devers at third base would improve not only their defense but also their lineup significantly.
However, Devers’ agent, Nelson Montes de Oca, recently told Alex Speier of The Boston Globe that his client considers himself a third baseman.
“He is a third baseman,” Montes de Oca explained. “He will continue to play third base and work hard to improve his skills. That’s his position, what he enjoys playing, and what he will play.
Devers batted.272 with 28 home runs and 83 RBIs last season.
Cardinals Looking to Trade Arenado
Arenado’s name has surfaced in trade discussions this winter.
According to Cardinals reporter Katie Woo of The Athletic, St. Louis could sell Arenado this offseason to clear his salary. It would also free up third base for young Cardinals prospects.
“Arenado’s situation is less clear, though even if he does prefer to be traded, there is no guarantee he will be,” according to Woo. “His significant contract and performance deterioration over the last two years, along with his full no-trade provision, leaves little space for negotiations. Trading Arenado would free up third base for Donovan and Gorman (who came up through the Cardinals organization as a third baseman).
Following her revelation, MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com stated that Arenado’s name had come up in trade discussions.
“We’ve started to hear some whispers about Nolan Arenado being traded, and given the state of the Cardinals, that could gain some steam as the winter progresses,” said Feinsand.
Arenado has been with the Cards since 2021.
