Arenado would reportedly consider a shift to first base for the right situation
Though it might have to wait until a litany of free agents find their homes, all signs point to Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado being traded this offseason. That’s the direction the Cardinals are headed and Arenado himself seems on board — so long as he likes the destination enough to waive his no-trade clause. He’s reportedly even open to moving to first base.
Arenado is owed $59 million over the next two seasons, though $10 million of that is being paid by the Rockies and it’s always possible the Cardinals pick up some of the remaining money in order to facilitate a trade. Then, in 2027, Arenado is set to make $15 million in his age-36 season.
The eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glover hit .272/.325/.394 (101 OPS+) with 16 homers, 71 RBI and 2.5 WAR last season all while continuing to prove a very capable defender at third base. There’s more concern with his drop in slugging, especially with the higher offensive bar a move to first base would entail. That said, he also posted 7.7 WAR and finished third in MVP voting just two years ago, so it’s possible there’s something left in the tank.
Here are 10 teams that might make sense as a trade partner for the Cardinals. Purely speculative, of course, but enough lines up that it would be doable for any of these ballclubs.
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