Breaking: Cardinals $35 Star Agree Deal To Join Dodgers In Blockbuster Trade

Every MLB trade deadline is unpredictable. Teams that are focused on the future frequently let go of their best players, but those that see a chance to win a World Series will often dump their farm system in order to do so. Although the St. Louis Cardinals have enjoyed considerable success over the past ten years, neither the previous season nor the first few games of this one point toward a postseason run.

As a result, when the trade deadline arrives, the Cardinals may be offloading several club mainstays. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Nolan Arenado, who has a no-trade clause, might agree to a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a chance to compete.

“No one hates losing more, and the Cardinals are more than a year into their disastrous run, so he just might approve a trade,” Heyman wrote about Arenado. “The Dodgers don’t really need him but that’s one team he might jump at.”

Arenado Could Help Solidify the Dodgers’ Infield

A third baseman is not absolutely necessary for the Dodgers. They might be searching for a second baseman, though. The Dodgers’ current third baseman, Max Muncy, has gone 23 games without making a mistake following a “rough defensive start to the season,” as reported by Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Muncy is slashing at the plate..362/.556 with nine home runs in 256/.556.

Gavin Lux of the Dodgers, who has been having trouble at the plate, plays second base. After 27 games, Lux’s batting average is just.191. If Arenado were to join the Dodgers, Muncy, who has experience playing second base, might switch to that position. Throughout his career, Muncy has made 161 starts at second base.

Arenado’s background speaks for itself, particularly in terms of defense. Ten Gold Glove Awards and six Platinum Glove Awards have been won by the 33-year-old. After Brooks Robinson, Arenado and Mike Schmidt share the second-most Gold Glove Awards between them at third base. Eight times, Arenado has been an All-Star.

Although Muncy’s defense at third base is adequate, the Dodgers’ offense would benefit from having him play second and remain in the order beside Arenado without sacrificing any defensive ground.

Arenado’s Contract

Arenado has a 2027 contract with the Cardinals. In 2019, he first committed to a $260 million, eight-year contract with the Colorado Rockies. But in 2021, he was sent to the Cardinals. The deal was modified by the Cardinals to include an additional opt-out and a $15 million salary in 2027. Arenado stayed with the Cardinals and did not utilize the opt-out clauses in his contract. To be transferred, he will need to renounce his no-trade clause, so he is effectively free to choose where he goes.

The Dodgers have the option to trade for Arenado, but they have demonstrated that they don’t mind paying a high salary to be competitive. In 2024, Arenado is expected to earn $35 million; in 2025, $32 million; in 2026, $27 million; and in 2027, $15 million. For an older player, those are significant numbers. To lessen the blow, the Rockies are only covering a small percentage of their payments.

Arenado is chopping away.OPS+ of 113 and a score of 286/.348/.393. The Dodgers would acquire one of this generation’s top defenders in addition to another excellent bat in the lineup if they traded for Arenado. There aren’t many better choices than the Dodgers for Arenado to try to win a World Series in 2024.