Eight-time MLB All-Star and St. Louis Cardinals third baseman is entering the final phase of his career and hopes to make the most of his remaining years in the league. Despite his impressive resume, he has never won a World Series title. The Cardinals understand that building a championship team takes time, but they are currently in a rebuilding phase. While Nolan Arenado values his relationship with the organization, he recognizes that the team’s potential is limited.
Although he still has a few years of elite play left, his best chance at a championship may not be in St. Louis. The team is clearly rebuilding—except the organization itself seems reluctant to admit it. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Arenado has identified a list of teams he’d prefer to be traded to in pursuit of a title, with the Boston Red Sox among his top choices.
The Red Sox, who had one of the most productive offseasons aside from the Los Angeles Dodgers, boast a roster filled with reliable playmakers. If Arenado were to join them, he and current third baseman Rafael Devers could share time at third base and designated hitter. While Arenado hopes to be traded soon, he acknowledges that his performance dipped last season.
“I’m not trying to cause any problems. I’ve got to be committed. The year I had last year wasn’t the year I wanted … I’ve got to focus on being better than that,” Arenado said. His offensive production in 2024 was his lowest since 2014, finishing with a .272 batting average and a .325 slugging percentage. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, his determination to compete at a high level and chase a championship remains unchanged.