Nolan Arenado, a star third baseman, appears to want to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, Teoscar Hernández’s recent re-signing with the Dodgers appears to rule out that chance this offseason. If Arenado, who is from Southern California, wants to return home, the St. Louis Cardinals will need to negotiate a trade with a different team from his state.
Nolan Arenado Not a Trade Fit for Dodgers
The Dodgers were among six teams on Arenado’s wish list when the Cardinals began shopping him this offseason. His desired destination is said to be the Dodgers. He sparked speculation with a mysterious Instagram post using Kendrick Lamar’s song “Dodger Blue”. The two teams had previously discussed trade options for Arenado, most notably around the 2023 trade deadline.
However, The Athletic reports that the Dodgers have not contemplated moving for Arenado this summer. At the Winter Meetings, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes stated publicly that Max Muncy will be the team’s third baseman in 2025. While Arenado’s agent has stated that he is prepared to move to first base to facilitate a trade, the Dodgers also have Freddie Freeman in that position.
Muncy is a considerably more affordable choice at third base than Arenado. The current third baseman will earn $24 million over the next two years, while Arenado’s contract is still worth $64 million. Muncy has also been more industrious lately.
Muncy had an OPS of.852 in 2024, compared to Arenado’s.719, despite missing the entirety of the previous season due to injury. He played 79 games fewer than Arenado. With that, Muncy still had a higher WAR (3.0) than Arenado (2.5). Despite the difference in games played, Muncy hit only one fewer home run than Arenado in 2024.
Hernández Signing Closes the Door
Hernández’s three-year, $66 million contract with the Dodgers will likely push the team back ahead of the New York Yankees in terms of salary in 2025. While Hernández and Arenado do not play the same position, the deal certainly puts an end to any rumors that Arenado may join the Dodgers.
Arenado’s best hope was that the Dodgers would lose a high-impact bat and look to replace it for the 2025 season. Even with LA’s opulent ways, it’s difficult to justify dealing for an expensive player when he doesn’t appear to have a daily defensive or lineup role, especially with superstar Shohei Ohtani taking practically all of the DH chores.
What’s Next in the Arenado Sweepstakes
Arenado has already exercised his trade veto rights this offseason, rejecting a trade to the Houston Astros. His wish list includes the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and New York Mets.
Teams will need to come up with prospects to entice the Cardinals into trading Arenado. In the denied trade to the Astros, the franchise demonstrated its willingness to bear some of the financial burden associated with Arenado’s contract. The Cardinals were apparently planning to take on $15 million of Arenado’s remaining salary.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters at the Winter Meetings that Arenado might return to the club in 2025. The organization is looking to save expenditures this summer, but Mozeliak says there are other options. The circumstance suggests a game of chicken. The Cardinals may have to fold some of their anticipated return, or Arenado may have to expand his acceptable trade partner list. If neither party blinks, Arenado is likely to travel to Jupiter for Cardinals spring training.
