The Boston Red Sox's primary focus this offseason has been pitching, and they've made big improvements by adding Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, among others.
But Boston has also been hoping to find a third baseman so it can move Rafael Devers to first and improve its infield defense. Although their chances at free agent Alex Bregman look bleak, a recent article proposed an interesting trade that would bring the Cardinals' Nolan Arenado to the Red Sox.
Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer named the Red Sox as the best fit for Arenado in the trade market, projecting that young infielders Vaughn Grissom and Mikey Romero would go to St. Louis in exchange. Rymer pointed out that Arenado's right-handed bat would be a welcome addition to the lefty-happy Sox lineup and that his pull-side power will play well at Fenway.
Moreover, the Red Sox are one of the six teams Arenado is willing to waive his no-trade clause for. That matters since he declined a trade to the Astros, who weren't on his list of teams.
Red Sox named by Bleacher Report as best trade destination for Nolan Arenado
Which Teams Can Still Use Nolan Arenado? https://t.co/Pku1rmwBao pic.twitter.com/HPv6Lha2HW
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) January 3, 2025
Whether or not this would be a welcome trade is in question. Arenado will turn 34 on April and is coming off of two forgettable offensive seasons, with a .774 OPS in 2023 and .719 in 2024. His power was way down last year, as he had only 16 homers and 23 doubles for a .394 slugging percentage. His glove is still very good, but he's no longer among the league's best defenders. With his bat is moving in the wrong direction, it's a hard sell.
Not only is his offense a question mark, but he comes with a steep price tag. He has three years left on his contract and he's owed $74 million over that span. And lest you think the Sox might be able to unload an equally bad contract on the Cardinals, St. Louis already declined the Yankees' proposed trade that would have given them Marcus Stroman, as Rymer pointed out.
On the upside, Arenado would definitely be a defensive improvement, especially if he forces Devers to first, and the proposed price for him isn't steep (even if his contract is). Bregman would certainly be preferable, but it doesn't look like that's happening, and Arenado would still upgrade the Red Sox' lineup and give them a much-needed righty bat.