Pink Sox
Arenado has been probably the greatest third basemen within the league for a decade, however his manufacturing on the plate has dipped.
Pitchers and catchers set to report back to Fort Myers in lower than two weeks. However even with MLB’s offseason nearing its finish, the Pink Sox have nonetheless but so as to add a right-handed bat to their lineup.
However that would change within the coming days, as MLB’s Community’s Jon Morosi famous on X Tuesday that the Pink Sox and Cardinals “have had latest communication about Nolan Arenado”.
Morosi added that “Cardinals exec Chaim Bloom has shut data of Boston’s prospects” — provided that Bloom served because the Pink Sox’s Chief Baseball Officer from 2020-23.
The Pink Sox have been linked to Arenado a number of occasions this offseason, with the 33-year-old third baseman holding some attraction to a staff like Boston given each his stellar protection and talent so as to add some right-handed pop on the plate.
Arenado has been dangled on the commerce market this complete winter by St. Louis, with the eight-time All-Star reportedly nixing a commerce to the Houston Astros in December. Regardless of invoking his no-trade clause, Arenado appears extra receptive about becoming a member of a staff like Boston.
“Boston is a most well-liked vacation spot — if not the popular vacation spot — for Arenado, a sizzling commerce candidate who has a full no-trade clause, business sources mentioned Sunday,” MassLive’s Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam wrote final month, including: “If the Pink Sox and Cardinals had been to match up on worth, there could be no hesitation on Arenado’s finish to just accept the deal.”
Whereas free-agent goal Alex Bregman might conceivably transfer from third base to second if he indicators with Boston, Arenado’s arrival would presumably push Rafael Devers to DH or first — contemplating that Arenado has 10 Gold Gloves on his resume.
However even when dealing for Arenado shores up Boston’s infield protection, there are questions on Arenado’s bat and whether or not he’s on a steep decline on the plate.
Arenado batted .272 with 16 dwelling runs and 71 RBI over 152 video games in 2024 — along with his WAR dipping from 7.7 in 2022 to 2.4 and a couple of.5 in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Despite the fact that Arenado has seven 30-home-run seasons in his profession, his age and his contract would possibly increase issues if the Pink Sox introduced him in.
He’s signed for the subsequent three seasons and is on the hook for $64 million, per Cotillo and McAdam — with the Rockies at present paying $5 million off of Arenado’s wage every of the subsequent two years.
For the entire questions concerning Arenado’s standing as a heart-of-the-order bat in 2025, Pink Sox infielder Trevor Story holds the veteran in excessive regard.
“I’ve performed round him so much,” Story advised reporters at Fenway Fest about Arenado. “He’s nearly as good because it will get. The depth that he brings to a staff is actually helpful. I feel he would thrive right here. … “There’s little doubt in my thoughts he’s nonetheless that man.
“I feel it’s straightforward to have a look at numbers and form of make an assumption, however he’s nonetheless Nolan Arenado. He’s nonetheless a Corridor of Fame-type participant in my eyes, and I feel in lots of people’s eyes. So, yeah, I’m undoubtedly not following the narrative on that.”
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