Nolan Arenado Rumors: Red Sox, Mets Among 6 Teams All-Star Would Waive No-Trade For

There are reportedly plenty of teams St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado would accept a trade to this offseason.

John Denton of MLB.com reported Tuesday that the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels are all “on his wish list.” What’s more, he would also “accept” being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox.

That’s important because the veteran has a full no-trade clause on his contract and would have to approve of any move.

Denton explained the Cardinals are looking to trade Arenado “to lessen their financial responsibilities over the next three years and create more infield playing time opportunities for Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman and Thomas Saggese.”

Arenado is set to make $74 million over the next three seasons, so the eventual trade will allow St. Louis to accelerate a potential rebuild and create more financial flexibility. And it will help the eight-time All-Star compete for his first World Series, as the Cardinals are coming off two straight playoff-less seasons.

“He doesn’t have the ability to ride it out and just be OK with [losing],” agent Joel Wolfe said while also revealing Arenado would be willing to switch positions if needed. “It’s like his biological clock is ticking and if the team’s not winning, it’s driving him crazy—every day, every night and all through the offseason—and he takes it so personal and [acts] like it’s all on him.”

The Dodgers, Padres, Phillies and Mets all jump out as clear World Series contenders, especially after the latter added Juan Soto this offseason. That would be quite the one-two punch in the lineup as New York attempts to take the next step in the National League East.

That would be even more of the case if the 33-year-old can bounce back some from an offensive perspective.

He is an eight-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger and 10-time Gold Glover, but he wasn’t quite as effective in 2024 while slashing .272/.325/.394 with 16 home runs and 71 RBI in 152 games.

Perhaps playing in a loaded lineup that could offer him more protection would help Arenado return to the peak production he isn’t far removed from, and the Cardinals can’t offer as much of that as some of the teams on his wish list.

With the Soto free agency now resolved, there will be far more attention on Arenado as the offseason dominoes continue to fall. And there are apparently a number of teams that still have a chance at landing him.