Inside The Cardinals

AL Contender Urged To Avoid Trade For Cardinals' $260 Million Star

Will the Tigers pursue Nolan Arenado?
Zach Pressnell|
May 6, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) is congratulated by right fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) after hitting a two run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 6, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) is congratulated by right fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) after hitting a two run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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Detroit TigersSt. Louis Cardinals

Over the last few weeks, multiple MLB insiders have connected St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Arenado to the Detroit Tigers in a blockbuster trade. The Tigers reportedly targeted Alex Bregman in the offseason, so a trade for Arenado following some early season struggles at the hot corner could make sense.

But not everybody thinks it would be a good idea.

Despite these rumors, Emma Lingan of Motor City Bengals recently urged the Tigers to avoid trading for Arenado, despite the clear need for a third baseman.

"The Tigers have lived up to the preseason hype so far, sitting comfortably atop the American League standings around the quarter-mark of the season," Lingan wrote. "They may have missed out on Bregman, but they certainly don't appear to be any worse off. And if the Tigers don't need Bregman, they absolutely don't need Arenado.

"If the Tigers are looking to add offense, especially at that price, they should aim higher than Arenado. Saddling themselves with that hefty contract for two more seasons would cost them the financial and positional flexibility that has become one of their greatest assets during the Scott Harris era."

Arenado would be a huge upgrade for the Tigers right now. Placing him at the hot corner while also sticking him in the middle of the lineup would be massive for the Tigers.

But the Tigers might regret the idea in a few years when they're left paying Arenado. His contract is big enough to scare the Tigers away, but his production might be enough to cause Detroit to look past it.

Only time will tell if the Tigers think the risk is worth the potential reward.

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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