The Boston Red Sox need to add a right-handed bat before Opening Day, and they've been linked to options available on the free agent and trade markets.
Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado are both veteran third basemen and their connections to Boston have been well-established in terms of their skill sets and beyond. Red Sox skipper Alex Cora coached Bregman during his tenure with the Astros and called for his signing on multiple occasions. Defensive savant shortstop Trevor Story played alongside Arenado in Colorado from 2016-20 and vouched for the Sox to trade for him during Fenway Fest on Jan. 11.
Story also addressed another common concern about the Sox potentially bringing in another third baseman. Rafael Devers is the face of the Red Sox franchise and his defense at the hot corner improved last season despite his yearlong struggle with shoulder injuries. Still, Arenado represents a critical righty bat and a necessary defensive upgrade.
"Nolan has made it known that Boston is a place he’d love to be. That’s not any of the players here sitting here saying, ‘We’d rather have this guy, we’d rather have that guy.’ Raffy's the guy. This is his team. It’ll always be his team. I think that’s something to make clear. If Hall of Fame players are reaching out to want to be on your team, that’s something that you have to entertain a little bit,” Story said, as reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.
Trevor Story advocates for Red Sox to 'entertain' trade for former teammate Nolan Arenado
Arenado has a no-trade clause in his contract with the Cardinals and has already declined a potential move to Houston. Boston is one of the few locations the veteran would accept a trade to, but recent reports suggest the Cardinals may hold onto him for another year.
But Story makes a salient point — if a player with Arenado's history and talent is willing to play for the Red Sox, they should capitalize. Boston hasn't signed many free agents with competitive markets in recent years. This offseason, the Sox have lost out on Juan Soto, Max Fried, Shane Bieber and Chris Martin. Boston didn't make any major signings last year. The Red Sox's new inability to convince free agents to sign, even with higher offers than other clubs, is discouraging and concerning.
"When a Hall of Fame player is reaching out wanting to be on your team, that’s something you have to entertain.”
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) January 13, 2025
While making sure to emphasize that Rafael Devers is the guy, Trevor Story believes Nolan Arenado could be an asset to the Red Sox.https://t.co/Y8AbuVk4e6
A trade for Arenado could change the perception of Boston's trajectory. He's a veteran with a gritty, competitive attitude who would bring some edge along with his righty bat to the Sox's lineup. His elite defense at third base, which has earned him 10 Gold Glove and six Platinum Glove Awards, would instantly improve the Red Sox's infield.
Arenado batted .272/.325/.394 with a .719 OPS over 152 games with the Cardinals last season. The 32-year-old's offense has played well at Fenway Park in the past, which bodes well for a potential fit with the Red Sox — he's slashing .333/.362/.704 with a 1.066 OPS, six homers and 15 RBI in 13 career appearances in Boston.
The Red Sox could sign Bregman and bring him in to play second without moving Devers or sacrificing any talent in a trade. But if Boston really is unwilling to pay Bregman's price, Arenado is a solid backup choice. His defense would instantly shore up the Sox's infield, he'd add some right-handedness to the heavily lefty batting order and his contract is shorter than Bregman's demands, which would afford the team more lineup flexibility a few seasons down the line.