The stalled trade talks surrounding Nolan Arenado are likely to continue for now.
Multiple industry sources report that free agent third baseman Alex Bregman has signed a three-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. Chandler Rome of The Athletic first broke the news, while Jon Heyman later revealed the deal’s terms—$120 million with two opt-out clauses.
According to Mark Feinsand, Bregman had offers for six or more years totaling at least $170 million, but he opted for a higher annual salary with the flexibility to re-enter free agency in 2026 and 2027.
Bregman’s move has a direct impact on the St. Louis Cardinals and their star third baseman, Nolan Arenado. Throughout the offseason, reports suggested the Red Sox and Cardinals were strong trade partners. Boston could have shifted Rafael Devers to designated hitter or first base, making Arenado an ideal defensive upgrade at third. However, with Bregman now in Boston, the Red Sox are no longer in the market for Arenado.
Even before this, trading Arenado was complicated due to his recent decline in performance and the $74 million remaining on his contract over the next three years. Now, the situation becomes even trickier.
While several teams have shown interest in Arenado—including the Yankees and Padres—his market remains uncertain. Other rumored suitors include the Mariners, Tigers, Dodgers, Royals, and Angels. The Astros could also potentially enter the mix.
Earlier Wednesday, the Angels announced that Anthony Rendon will miss significant time due to hip surgery, which could create a need at third base. The Dodgers re-signed Enrique Hernández, the Yankees are hesitant due to payroll constraints, and the Padres remain an unpredictable factor in trade discussions. Any of these teams could still explore a deal for Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove winner.
However, with Boston off the table, Arenado staying in St. Louis to start the 2025 season is now the most probable outcome. Reports from Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggest that the Cardinals and Red Sox had a potential trade lined up—one that hinged on Bregman choosing a different destination.
Ultimately, keeping Arenado isn’t a bad outcome for St. Louis. His presence strengthens the team’s defense, and there’s a chance he could regain his power at the plate. However, his continued role at third base creates challenges for the team’s younger players. Nolan Gorman will remain at second base, pushing Brendan Donovan to the outfield, which in turn forces Lars Nootbaar into center field. This could limit playing time for Alec Burleson and potentially relegate Thomas Saggese to Triple-A Memphis. Additionally, carrying two defense-focused center fielders, Victor Scott II and Michael Siani, may not be practical.
While there’s still a slight possibility of an Arenado trade before Opening Day, Bregman’s signing significantly reduces those odds. For now, Cardinals fans can appreciate having a future Hall of Famer on their team for a little longer.
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