The Los Angeles Dodgers are fresh off winning their second World Series title since 2020. As they prepare to defend that championship in 2025, could they add third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals?
While the Cardinals have been trying to find a trade partner for the eight-time All-Star this winter, it's been difficult to get a deal done. They tried sending him to Texas to join the Houston Astros, but the veteran nixed that idea by exercising his no-trade clause.
That happened because the Dodgers are Arenado's preferred destination, according to Cardinals insider John Denton. However, Los Angeles has publicly been standing by Max Muncy as its starting third baseman heading into 2025.
If that changes in the coming weeks, what kind of package would it take to bring Arenado to Hollywood? BALLCAP Sports' Jim Riley put together the following hypothetical trade:
- Dodgers receive: third baseman Nolan Arenado
- Cardinals receive: utility player Chris Taylor and right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin
Gonsolin missed all of 2024 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is expected to be fully healthy in 2025. Taylor has been a staple in LA since his first full season with the Dodgers in 2017. However, he struggled to a .598 OPS in 246 plate appearances in 2024.
Arenado's offensive production has taken a dip in recent years, including a .719 OPS with 16 home runs and 71 RBI through 635 plate appearances this past season. The 10-time Gold Glove winner has three years and $52 million left on his eight-year, $260 million deal, per Spotrac.
