Ranking 10 trade destinations for Cardinals' Nolan Arenado

With each passing day without a deal, the chances of Nolan Arenado staying with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2025 grows. Clubs such as the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers have made clear pivots away from Nolan Arenado, and the list of teams who could use his services is ever-shrinking.

There have been legitimate reports citing connections between the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and Seattle Mariners with Arenado, and other speculative connections include the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Does Nolan Arenado still have a fit with the Cardinals?

Well, that depends on how you view the club's offseason. If you see the "youth movement" as a facade to deplete payroll, then no, he doesn't fit on the roster. He's owed $74 million over the next three years, an onerous sum for most ball clubs.

Even if the youth movement narrative is accurate, Arenado's spot on the lineup would obstruct Nolan Gorman, Thomas Saggese, Brendan Donovan, and even Alec Burleson from receiving regular at-bats. If he isn't traded, there is no chance that Arenado rides the bench next year. He'll be a regular starter at the hot corner if he's still on the roster come Opening Day.

There's also a world in which keeping Nolan Arenado pays greater dividends for the Cardinals in 2025. His defense is still well above average, and a motivated Arenado is a scary proposition. His best offensive years are still behind him, but if he has a strong desire to turn it around in 2025, something that has been widely reported already this offseason, then he could post numbers that are much better than the ones he posted in 2023 and 2024.

Having a veteran of Nolan Arenado's pedigree on the roster in 2025 isn't a bad thing for the Cardinals. It doesn't relieve salary for ownership, and it doesn't allow for young players to see consistent reps, but it does give the Cardinals a reliable player who is on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Those types of players don't grow on trees.

The roadblocks for a deal for Nolan Arenado are numerous. He is relatively costly without money being included in a deal. The Cardinals were reportedly willing to send $15 million in a deal to Houston last month, so that's a good baseline once again. Arenado also has a full no-trade clause, an option he chose to exercise in the same Houston deal.

Arenado's sub-par postings these last two years don't help his value, either. Excluding his rookie year and 2020, Arenado's 101 OPS+ was the lowest in his career. He had a career-low .394 slugging percentage, a career-low .719 OPS, and a career-low 16 home runs. His offense isn't what it used to be, and his defense appeared to slip in 2023 and the first half of 2024.

Arenado's trade value isn't what it once was, the list of teams willing to trade for him is dwindling, and he may not be interested in playing for those who have a desire to trade for him.

Can the Cardinals find a willing trade partner for Nolan Arenado? Which team does he have a perfect fit with? Let's find out.

The Longshots

Washington Nationals

There has been no rumored interest from the Nationals' end regarding Arenado, and Arenado himself hasn't declared any interest in moving to the nation's capital. While the Nats are a team on the rise, and they do have significant financial flexibility, adding someone like Nolan Arenado may not be the best idea for the young club.

Washington's projected third baseman is rookie Jose Tena, someone who finished 2024 with a .652 OPS in 168 plate appearances. Placing Arenado on the left side of the infield with CJ Abrams, one of the game's best young players, would be tantalizing. However, I don't see Washington being interested in trading for an aging player who is on the wrong side of 30 while they seek to make upward moves. Also, the Nats are fighting three teams in their competitive windows in the division between the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves. They may be eyeing a competitive window beyond Nolan Arenado.

San Diego Padres

There is a lot going on with the San Diego Padres right now that extends beyond the players on the field. While the club is operating as normal as far as filling out a roster, there are disputes within the Seidler family as to who should have ownership of the team. Following Peter Seidler's passing in 2023, ownership of the team went to his brothers, Matt and Bob Seidler. Now, Peter's widow, Sheel Seidler, is suing Matt and Bob for control of the team.

This lawsuit could shift the club's interest away from adding significant salary to the payroll, something that Nolan Arenado definitely brings in a deal.

Additionally, the Padres have Manny Machado on the roster through 2033. While his time at the hot corner may be dwindling, there aren't many other places to move him outside of designated hitter.

The Cardinals may not have much interest in dealing with the Padres, either, as their farm system has ranked in the bottom third of the league for a few years now. Arenado won't fetch a top-100 prospect, but trading him for a no-name lottery ticket prospect may not be in the organization's plans.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals could feasibly make space for Nolan Arenado. They were below league average in bWAR production from third base last year, and it's not like Maikel Garcia blew anyone out of the water last year. Arenado would be a clear upgrade on both sides of the ball for the Royals. Additionally, having a left side of the infield that includes Nolan Arenado and Bobby Witt Jr. may make Kansas City lead the pack in that respect.

The primary issue here is money. The Royals haven't been an organization that spends exorbitantly, but their moves these last two years tell a bit of a different story. If the Royals are willing to eat some salary, then they may be a good fit for Arenado. There's also the fact that Arenado doesn't see them as true contenders these next three years with a weak farm system, so he may not approve a cross-state trade.

Teams that would be a decent fit.

Los Angeles Angels

Initial reports indicated that Nolan Arenado, a California native, had the Angels on his short list of preferred teams. That could still be the case today. The Angels currently have Anthony Rendon at third base, but he could feasibly move to a full-time designated hitter. This move would help save Rendon's help while also upgrading a position that has become quite transient for the Halos of late.

The Angels aren't in an overly competitive window right now, but Mike Trout isn't getting any younger, and there are some rising stars like Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, and Logan O'Hoppe on the roster. Complimentary players such as Luis Rengifo and Taylor Ward could make for a potent lineup with Arenado in the middle of it.

Arenado likely has an interest in returning home to play; what matters most is if the Angels are willing to add another expensive player on the wrong side of 30 to a roster that has those in surplus at this point.

New York Yankees

The Yankees were not on Nolan Arenado's "list" earlier in the offseason, but after having acquired Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger, and Max Fried, perhaps Nado would be interested in moving to the Bronx to play with one of the game's best players in Aaron Judge.

Nolan Arenado would probably enjoy playing for the Yankees, but they may not be actively searching for his services. Jazz Chisholm Jr. allows the Pinstripes to choose between acquiring a third baseman or a second baseman. The Yankees could also opt to not make any outside additions and instead run with young players throughout the lineup.

Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, and DJ LeMahieu could all fill those positions, though two are unproven commodities in Cabrera and Peraza, and LeMahieu is fading quickly. Money typically isn't an issue for the Yankees, so taking on whatever may be left of his contract shouldn't be onerous for Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner.

Nolan Arenado and the Yankees have been linked many times this offseason. There is a fit on paper. However, with players like Brendan Rodgers and Ha-Seong Kim still available via free agency, the Yankees may opt to just spend money rather than also trade away prospects.

Seattle Mariners

Now this would be interesting. For the last few years, the major gripe surrounding the Seattle Mariners has been that they don't have enough offensive power to pair with their superb starting rotation. While Nolan Arenado isn't as potent as he once was, and T-Mobile Park is known for sapping offense, he could tap into something on a new team.

Arenado could be plugged into the heart of the lineup with players like Julio Rodriguez, Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh, and Luke Raley. The Mariners did recently acquire Donovan Solano, a true veteran of the game, but they wouldn't hesitate to place him behind Arenado on the depth chart. His defense would also be welcome in Seattle.

The Mariners were also mentioned recently as a team that Nolan Arenado may have interest in joining next year now that his no-trade list has been altered.

It depends on what Alex Bregman does, but these teams are excellent fits.

Every team in this section would be a good fit for Nolan Arenado, he's been reported to have interest in playing for them, and they've been rumored to be interested in him, too. However, Nado's inclusion on these rosters depends entirely on what free agent Alex Bregman does. These clubs have a need, and Arenado has an interest. Stars still need to be aligned.

New York Mets

In the case of the New York Mets, a trade for Nolan Arenade depends not just on what happens with Alex Bregman, but also what happens with Pete Alonso. If the Mets are unable to sign either, Arenado can play third base in Queens, and Mark Vientos can move to first. If the Mets sign either Bregman or Alonso, they're out of the running for Arenado.

It's clearly a win-now (and for the next decade) situation for the Mets after they signed Juan Soto. Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte, and Francisco Alvarez round out a balanced lineup for the Mets. Where New York probably needs to make acquisitions still would be in the rotation, but adding a player of Nolan Arenado's level wouldn't hurt one bit.

Also, who wouldn't want to hit with Lindor and Soto in the lineup? Arenado would bring balance to their lineup, experience to the clubhouse, and a Gold-Glove pedigree to their defense. He and Lindor would again make for a potent left side of the infield.

Toronto Blue Jays

It seems as though the Blue Jays have been grasping at straws for two years now. They've missed out on free agents like Shohei Ohtani, Carlos Correa, and Juan Soto to only watch the primes of players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichete pass with nary a postseason success story to share.

The Blue Jays may become desperate for a big swing and opt to trade for Nolan Arenado, but they probably prefer Alex Bregman. If Toronto once again loses out on a big-name free agent, their desperation may push them back to John Mozeliak and a trade.

With Vlad Jr. and Bo Bichette set to be free agents after 2025, the Blue Jays could aim to make a huge push for the playoffs this year. Adding Nolan Arenado at third, a place formerly occupied by Ernie Clement and his .692 OPS, would help their cause significantly.

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers may be one of the best fits for Nolan Arenado. His expanded list of interested teams probably includes the Tigers, and they are a club set to take off next year following a postseason appearance in 2024. They are an extremely young team, as not one starter next year, Javier Baez aside (who may be relegated to the bench), is older than 30. Nado's experience would be welcome on that young of a team.

The Tigers have quite a few lefties in their starting lineup, so bringing Arenado over to provide some balance would be great for their young squad. Detroit has already added second baseman Gleyber Torres this offseason, and trading for Nolan Arenado would provide more pop to the lineup.

Detroit is seen as a favorite for Alex Bregman, and he may be the club's preference. If that falls through, Nolan Arenado is an excellent fall-back option.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have been the team with the most rumors regarding Nolan Arenado all offseason. In fact, Katie Woo reported recently that the Boston Red Sox may be Arenado's last ticket out of St. Louis this offseason.

The Red Sox, similar to the Tigers, are lefty-oriented in the lineup. Arenado's right-handed swing would play quite well at Fenway, as his 1.066 OPS there is fourth-best in all stadiums in his career.

There are some dominoes that must fall if the Red Sox acquire Arenado. First, Rafael Devers must be open to moving to designated hitter this early in his career. If he isn't moved to DH, a move to first base could be in the cards. That would implicate a trade of young first baseman Triston Casas for pitching help.

There are a lot of bridges that need to be crossed and hoops that need to be jumped, but Nolan Arenado being traded to Boston still feels like one of the most ideal routes for all parties involved.