The St. Louis Cardinals are entering a rebuild and are expected to make a few key trades this offseason to accelerate the process. One of the players reportedly on their trade radar for months is veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado, with St. Louis potentially taking an aggressive approach to move him this offseason.
Scott Plaza of Redbird Rants recently suggested that the Philadelphia Phillies could emerge as a logical landing spot for Arenado once again. The Phillies had been considered a top potential destination for the star infielder last year, making the idea familiar to both teams.
“As things currently stand, Arenado has two years remaining on his contract at an average salary of around $15 million per season,” Plaza wrote. “Given his track record prior to 2024, that would be a bargain for a player of his caliber. However, his overall performance has declined to the point that even this figure might be considered an overpay. That said, his defense has returned to above-average levels, making him a viable option at third base for a team looking for a bounce-back candidate.”
The Phillies could be a particularly fitting suitor. Philadelphia has been competitive in recent seasons but faces an aging roster with significant salary commitments. Current third baseman Alec Bohm, 29, has struggled to develop expected power numbers, and his defense at the hot corner has been inconsistent, creating room for a veteran upgrade.
Arenado could provide the Phillies with both immediate defensive stability and the potential to regain his former offensive production. Even in a limited role, he would serve as a valuable option, whether as a starter or a defensive substitute.
Financial considerations will ultimately drive any deal. The Cardinals are unlikely to absorb much of Arenado’s remaining contract, which could necessitate including a prospect or two in a trade to balance the deal.
For the Phillies, acquiring Arenado would allow them to address a critical infield need while also offsetting potential offseason departures, such as Kyle Schwarber in free agency. The addition of a proven veteran could provide both short-term impact and mentorship for younger players.
In short, while the Arenado-to-Philadelphia scenario has its complexities, it remains one of the most plausible trade possibilities for the Cardinals this offseason, combining team needs, contractual realities, and player fit.
