With spring training just around the corner, the Boston Red Sox are running out of time to secure the right-handed bat they’ve been searching for all offseason.
Their pursuit of Alex Bregman hasn’t gone as hoped, with multiple reports indicating he’s unwilling to accept a short-term deal. In response, the Red Sox have revisited trade discussions with the St. Louis Cardinals regarding Nolan Arenado.
The Cardinals have made trading Arenado a “top priority” this offseason, but the veteran third baseman holds a no-trade clause and has already declined a deal to Houston. However, Boston is one of the few teams he’d reportedly consider joining.
Arenado’s recent social media activity has sparked excitement among Red Sox fans. He posted a video of a towering home run by Red Sox legend Manny Ramirez without any caption or context, leading many to speculate that a trade to Boston is imminent.
This isn’t the first time Arenado’s Instagram posts have fueled trade rumors. Earlier this offseason, he shared content referencing the Dodgers, including using Kendrick Lamar’s song Dodger Blue in a post and wearing LA caps in photos. As a Southern California native and longtime Dodgers fan, many believe Los Angeles is his preferred landing spot.
Interestingly, the Ramirez home run Arenado posted was from his Cleveland days, not his time with the Red Sox. Since Ramirez also played for the Dodgers, some believe the post could be another subtle hint about Arenado’s desire to join LA.
Still, with the Red Sox in need of a right-handed power bat and the Cardinals seemingly eager to move Arenado, many Boston fans are holding out hope that his next stop will be Fenway Park.