Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals' Nolan Arenado 'Highly, Highly Motivated' To Join Red Sox As Rumors Heat Up

The St. Louis fan favorite knows where he wants to land
Nate Hagerty|
Sep 28, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) talks with the media after the Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers winning their 17th straight game and clinching a wild card spot in the postseason at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Sep 28, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) talks with the media after the Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers winning their 17th straight game and clinching a wild card spot in the postseason at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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St. Louis CardinalsBoston Red Sox

The St. Louis Cardinals are facing the reality that superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado might not be traded this winter but not all hope is lost yet.

On Tuesday, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported that the Cardinals and Boston Red Sox were recently involved in trade discussions for Arenado.

Spring training is days away, so Arenado's desperation is growing. The latest update on his trade market indicates that Boston is where the five-time Silver Slugger wants to be moved the most.

"Given that Nolan Arenado vetoed the potential deal to the (Houston) Astros, what some of his friends say is important: They think he would really like the idea of going to the Red Sox, if Boston and the Cardinals work out terms," ESPN's Buster Olney first reported Wednesday afternoon. "Arenado's current mindset: 'Highly, highly motivated.'"

Arenado is a pull-power right-handed hitter, and the Red Sox have one of the friendliest ballparks for his expertise. Fenway Park has a shortened left field with a 37-foot wall -- also known as the Green Monster.

Although Arenado's offensive production has slowed since 2022, when he logged a .293/.358/.533 slash line with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs, he remains capable. It would be unwise of the Red Sox not to consider a trade for the Cardinals slugger.

The 33-year-old could be a perfect change of scenery candidate, especially if he logs half of his bats swinging for the top of the Green Monster.

The Red Sox seem like the perfect match for Arenado but former Astros Gold Glove defender Alex Bregman fits in Boston as well.

Hopefully, Boston will grow tired of Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, and his shady negotiation tactics. Once the former Houston third baseman is out of the picture, Arenado should have a more straightforward path to finding his next trade destination.

More MLB: AL Central Contender Reportedly Signs Ex-Cardinals Fan Favorite To One-Year Deal

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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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