The Boston Red Sox have been linked to Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado as they seek a third baseman.
With Boston expected to add a bat, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer made a trade prediction that the Red Sox would acquire Arenado in a blockbuster deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Red Sox acquire:
Nolan Arenado
Cardinals acquire:
- Masataka Yoshida
- Yoeilin Cespedes (Boston’s No. 5 prospect)
The suggested transaction would be a blockbuster, with Boston acquiring Areando for a top prospect and an MLB player.
Arenado would be the Red Sox’s starting third baseman, moving Rafael Devers to first base or DH. The third baseman is entering the sixth year of an eight-year, $260 million contract. Arenado, an eight-time All-Star and ten-time Gold Glove winner, would improve Boston’s defense at third. He batted.272 with the Cardinals in 2024, with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs.
In exchange, Boston would send Yoshida to St. Louis, where he hasn’t met expectations. In December 2022, the Red Sox signed Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million contract. The Japanese outfielder was anticipated to be a power hitter, but he has failed to adjust to the majors. He was largely employed as a DH in 2024, hitting.280 with 10 home runs and 56 RBIs, since his power has been lacking.
The Cardinals would benefit greatly from acquiring Cespedes, the Red Sox’s No. 5 prospect. The shortstop signed as an international free agent in 2023. He is anticipated to make his major league debut in 2028, after hitting.319 in Rookie Ball last season with 5 home runs and 24 RBIs.
Analyst Makes Case for Red Sox to Acquire Arenado
The proposed deal makes sense for both parties, since St. Louis wants to get out of Arenado’s contract. Boston, meanwhile, gains a terrific third baseman while only giving up their fifth-best prospect and getting out of Yoshida’s contract.
Meanwhile, Rymer believes the Red Sox would be a far better club if the trade happened.
“Although Arenado isn’t the best match for the Red Sox, having him at third base with Rafael Devers moving to first would improve their infield defense. Arenado also possesses the right-handed stick that Boston has been searching for. Meanwhile, Yoshida must pursue consecutive 1.4-rWAR seasons. And, in this situation, his departure would free up the DH position for Triston Casas,” Rymer stated.
Rymer believes the Cardinals would profit from getting Arenado out of his contract. They would also acquire a prospect in Cespedes, which is the main reason St. Louis made the trade.
“Frankly, Arenado’s trade value is so low that they may have no choice. At the very least, this transaction would save them money. Rymer noted, “Yoshida is owed $55.8 million, while the Cardinals owe Arenado $64 million.” “This would otherwise be a prospect purchase for the Cardinals, with the 19-year-old Cespedes bringing a strong bat to St. Louis’ system.”
Boston is Arenado’s Preferred Destination
Arenado’s name has come up in trade negotiations throughout the winter.
The third baseman invoked his no-trade clause to prevent a deal to the Houston Astros. According to Chris Costillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive, Arenado wants to be dealt to Boston.
“Boston is a preferred destination — if not the preferred destination — for Arenado, a hot trade candidate who has a full no-trade clause, industry sources said Sunday,” according to the story. “The 33-year-old has already used that clause to dictate his future once, by preventing a deal to Houston in late December. If the Red Sox and Cardinals were to match in value, Arenado would have little hesitation in accepting the deal.”
Arenado has won five Silver Slugger awards and leads the National League in home runs three times.
