Realistic trade packages from every team on Nolan Arenado's wish list

St. Louis Cardinals' third baseman Nolan Arenado has seen an increase in trade rumors. From Arenado's agent Joel Wolfe to John Mozeliak, several people who are quite involved in the situation have made it clear that a trade is imminent.

John Denton of MLB.com released a list of teams to which Arenado would approve a trade, as his no-trade clause handcuffs the Cardinals' ability to move him. Those teams would be the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox. Surprisingly, the New York Yankees and Houston Astros, both teams who could use Arenado's services, weren't included on the list, though other reporters have at least listed the Yankees as an option, and the Astros could come back into play if they are unable to retain Alex Bregman.

Arenado, a native of southern California, has interest in the three California teams for obvious reasons. The Phillies and Mets are already stocked with talented veterans, and the Boston Red Sox are an organization on the rise with money to spend and talented young players. Arenado's desire to play competitive baseball in the twilight of his career is shown in his list of teams.

The question now remains: what can these teams offer the Cardinals in return for a 10-time Gold Glover and eight-time All-Star? Well, let's dig in and identify six potential trade packages for Arenado's services from each team.

Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian hasn't guaranteed Anthony Rendon's spot at third base next year, so Arenado would slot in well in Los Angeles. He would be able to play with Mike Trout, one of the game's best players, and a young core that includes first baseman Nolan Schanuel and shortstop Zach Neto. Logan O'Hoppe, Taylor Ward, and Jorge Soler round out a decent cast of supplementary players for the Angels.

The Angels were active early in free agency signing pitchers Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks, and it's likely that they aren't done just yet. Trading for Arenado would be a huge move to improve a fringy team in the Angels.

The Angels have been drafting and promoting prospects quickly recently, and their top picks from two recent drafts, Caden Dana and Christian Moore, are the club's top prospects.

Cardinals receive: OF Jo Adell, RHP Camden Minacci
Angels receive: 3B Nolan Arenado

The Angels would be taking on a fair amount of salary in this deal, but the Cardinals aren't getting anything earth-shattering in return. Jo Adell has huge power numbers but he strikes out at a crazy rate (32.2%). Adell profiles best as a platoon guy against primarily left-handed pitchers with decent center field defense. Camden Minacci finished 2024 with a 3.31 ERA with 68 strikeouts in only 49 innings across high-A and Double-A. He could be ready to pitch in the majors by the end of the year, but 2026 appears to be his window of opportunity.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Nolan Arenado would surely accept a trade to the Dodgers, but will the Dodgers have interest in him? General manager Brandon Gomes has been outspoken that Max Muncy is the club's Opening Day third baseman, and few people can displace Freddie Freeman. However, the Dodgers have plenty to offer the Cardinals should a trade between the two teams be reached.

Arenado would absolutely accept a trade to the Dodgers, who are probably the league's best team on paper.

Cardinals receive: RHP Bobby Miller
Dodgers receive: 3B Nolan Arenado, $20 million

Wouldn't this be nice? The Cardinals receive a legitimate starting pitcher, and all they have to forfeit is Arenado and some cash. Bobby Miller had a down year in 2024 with an 8.52 ERA in only 56 innings pitched, but his 2023 was exceptional. He had a 3.76 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 124.1 innings for a 114 ERA+.

The Dodgers have already exceeded the luxury tax, so they'll happily accept any cash in addition to Arenado. Bobby Miller's stock has fallen after a rough 2024, and this trade could benefit both clubs. It's possible the Cardinals will have to add either more money or a prospect of some kind to sweeten the deal.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies currently employ Alec Bohm, a 2024 All-Star, at third base, but they're reportedly open to moving him to shake up the roster. Arenado would join a talented veteran group that includes Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, Aaron Nola, and Zach Wheeler in Philly, and he wouldn't have to be the primary offensive producer with the Phillies. That would bode well for his career.

The Phillies have a decent farm system, as they currently have four players in MLB Pipeline's top-100 prospect list. If the Cardinals chip in some money with Arenado, perhaps St. Louis could land a top prospect from the Phillies. They could also swing a deal for Alec Bohm, though that would create a logjam in the infield between Bohm, Nolan Gorman, Brendan Donovan, and even Thomas Saggese.

Cardinals receive: RHP Jean Cabrera, RHP Seth Johnson
Phillies receive: 3B Nolan Arenado, $10 million

In this scenario, the Phillies flip Alec Bohm somewhere else to open space for Arenado. The Cardinals also send some money to offset Arenado's contract.

In Cabrera and Johnson, the Cardinals get two pitchers who are near MLB-ready and have solid floors. Cabrera finished 2024 with a 3.80 ERA between high-A and Double-A with 110 strikeouts in 106.2 innings. He has a strong fastball-changeup combination, and with some physical growth, he could evolve into a good reliever.

Johnson uses a 60-grade fastball and an elusive slider to get batters out. The 26-year-old righty has already made his major-league debut, and he had a 2.73 ERA in the minors last year through 95.2 innings.

New York Mets

The Mets just got the offseason's prized player in Juan Soto, they've already bolstered their rotation, and they may not be done just yet. At the moment, Brett Baty is listed as the Mets' third baseman in 2025, but he had a tough year at the plate in 2024. His defense isn't anything to write home about, either. Arenado would be a significant upgrade at the hot corner for the Mets.

The Mets will surely be contenders in 2025, and Arenado will take them to another level. His plus defense paired with Lindor's at shortstop would give New York one of the best left sides of the infield in the game. If the Mets are unable to re-sign Pete Alonso, they could pivot to the trade market to fill out their corner infield spots.

Cardinals receive: RHP Jonah Tong
Mets receive: 3B Nolan Arenado, $15 million

This isn't the flashiest of trades, but the Cardinals get a legitimate pitching prospect in Jonah Tong. Tong, 21, has a 65-grade fastball that can hit 97 MPH with nearly 21 inches of induced vertical break. He pitched in low-A, high-A, and Double-A last year, and he finished with a 3.03 ERA in 113 innings. He also struck out 160 batters while holding them to a .204 batting average. He walked only 47 batters, too. Tong is a serious pitching prospect, and he would provide even greater depth behind guys like Quinn Mathews and Tink Hence.

The Cardinals kick in some cash to make Arenado's contract manageable, and the Mets form a potent corner infield combination of Nolan Arenado and Mark Vientos.

San Diego Padres

AJ Preller hasn't shied away from major trades during his tenure in San Diego. Adding Nolan Arenado would be another feather in his cap. The Padres are trying to outpace the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers in the tough National League West, and Arenado would help them in their efforts.

The Padres already have Manny Machado at third base, but he could move to second base, and Jake Cronenworth and Luis Arraez could figure out the DH and first base spots. Arenado could also shift to first and send Arraez to the DH role permanently. The Padres are actually a pretty strong candidate to trade for Arenado the more I consider the two clubs.

Cardinals receive: RHP Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP Francis Pena
Padres receive: 3B Nolan Arenado, $15 million

The Cardinals land two pitching prospects here in Bradgley Rodriguez and Francis Pena. The two are ranked 11th and 13th, respectively, in the Padres' farm system, but they have both risen quickly in the last year. Pena reached Triple-A, and he threw only 15.2 innings there with a 5.17 ERA. However, his walk rates have been decent, and he's struck out more than nine batters per nine innings throughout his minor league career. Rodriguez is only 21, but, he reached Double-A last year. Both pitchers feature wicked fastballs with high velocity. Rodriguez profiles more as a reliever, and San Diego seems intent on developing him that way.

The Padres get an All-Star level third baseman, some cash, and the ability to shift around their infield to fit the skillsets of their already talented roster.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox just traded their top prospect for pitcher Garrett Crochet, so they may be more apt to hold onto their prospects and instead opt for free agency to fill out their roster. Additionally, they have a crowded infield between Rafael Devers and Triston Casas already, so finding time for Arenado would be tricky.

However, they keep cropping up as a good match for Nado, and the potential is there. He would be a defensive upgrade at the hot corner over Devers, and his offense could improve thanks to the Green Monster in left field.

Cardinals receive: RHP Richard Fitts, OF Jhostynxon Garcia
Red Sox receive: 3B Nolan Arenado, LHP JoJo Romero, $15 million

I bet you didn't see that one coming! Yes, the Cardinals include some cash AND reliever JoJo Romero in this deal. Romero is coming off a career year with 30 holds and a 3.36 ERA in 59 innings. That's great! However, the Cardinals are now leaning towards keeping Ryan Helsley, and Romero's underlying metrics including his chase, whiff, and strikeout rates, weren't overly inspiring. He's a reliever who loved ground balls.

In return, the Cardinals get Jhostynxon Garcia (Red Sox's #9 prospect) and Richard Fitts (Red Sox's #10 prospect). Garcia slashed .286/.356/.536 last year with 23 home runs. He's a legitimate corner outfielder with great pop. Fitts is more of a veteran prospect at the ripe age of 24, and he had a 4.17 ERA in 116.2 innings with 111 strikeouts. He profiles as a control guy, essentially a better Gordon Graceffo.