Numerous teams, including the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros, have expressed interest in superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals. Arenado has been on the trading block for the entire offseason, but no deal has been completed.
Arenado gave the Cardinals with a list of contending teams for which he would be prepared to waive his no-trade clause. Of all the teams named, the Boston Red Sox are the most interested. While it is tough to argue that they do not require a player of Arenado’s level, the Red Sox would have to make far too many changes to take a risk on the seasoned all-star.
Cardinals have poor negotiation strategy in Nolan Arenado talks
With the Cardinals attempting to plan for the future by trading Arenado, they will want to acquire as much as possible in exchange. The level of prospects John Mozeliak is asking for is definitely high, but it is not the only reason teams like the Red Sox are turning away from Arenado.
Arenado is under contract for the next three seasons and is owed a whopping $21 million by 2025. Coming off his worst offensive season as a professional, Boston believes they should not have to pay his entire salary if they acquire him.
Trade talks involving Arenado with the Red Sox and others are still stalled due to Mozeliak’s refusal to assume at least a piece of Arenado’s salary. The Cardinals hope to acquire youthful players while entirely unloading Arenado’s contract. This appears to be an unreasonable ambition for the Cardinals, and this thinking might lead to an awkward 2025 season in which Arenado remains in a St. Louis uniform while aggressively being traded throughout the winter.
