The Boston Red Sox have already made a splash in the offseason by securing Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox, one of the biggest trades so far. Since then, they have been closely associated with several other players on the trade market, keeping fans and analysts alike wondering if the team will make any more significant moves. One of the most prominent names linked to Boston is St. Louis Cardinals’ star infielder, Nolan Arenado. The eight-time All-Star, who is widely regarded as a future Hall of Famer, has three years left on his current contract, and it has become clear that the Cardinals are seeking to offload him to reduce their payroll.
Despite Arenado’s impressive track record, including winning numerous Gold Gloves and Silver Slugger awards, his situation is complicated. He signed a massive $260 million deal but still has $74 million left on that contract over the next three seasons, making a potential trade quite challenging. Furthermore, Arenado has a no-trade clause, adding another layer of complexity to any trade talks. However, the Red Sox have been one of the teams most frequently connected to him, with some reports even suggesting that Boston might be his “last chance” for a trade before the 2025 season, as noted by Katie Woo of The Athletic.
While the idea of adding a player of Arenado’s caliber is tempting, it remains uncertain whether the Red Sox will actively pursue the deal. Woo also pointed out that Boston is reportedly in the mix for free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, which could influence their stance on Arenado. There are also other teams involved in the Bregman sweepstakes, including the Detroit Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays. If the Red Sox miss out on Bregman, they could shift their focus to trading for Arenado. However, such a move would likely require significant roster changes. One scenario that has been discussed involves shifting Rafael Devers to first base to make room for Arenado at third. While Arenado has expressed a willingness to switch positions, he is generally considered the stronger third baseman, which might make such a switch less appealing for Boston.
Additionally, moving Devers to first would likely necessitate trading away a player like Triston Casas, which brings up more questions regarding how much the Red Sox are willing to part with for a player of Arenado’s age and contract situation. While it’s possible that Arenado could be added to Boston’s roster, it’s not yet clear if the team is prepared to take on the financial burden or make the required roster changes. The situation continues to evolve, but it’s clear that the Red Sox are keeping a close eye on the trade market and could make another significant move if the right opportunity arises.
