Report: Cardinals join Arenado pursuit
The St. Louis Cardinals are interested in trading for Colorado Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
A deal involving Arenado is starting to look inevitable, Rosenthal notes. It was reported a week ago that there was roughly a 50-50 chance the five-time All-Star would be dealt.
Landing the perennial MVP candidate would be a seismic move for a Cardinals team looking to defend its NL Central crown. St. Louis is currently projected to start sophomore Tommy Edman at the hot corner, but acquiring Arenado would give the club a significant offensive and defensive upgrade at the position.
Edman, 24, posted a solid .850 OPS in 92 contests during his rookie campaign in 2019. Arenado, in comparison, put up a .962 OPS over 155 games and is also a seven-time Gold Glover winner.
Colorado, meanwhile, is reportedly looking to acquire a young, dynamic right-handed-hitting center fielder, among other players, in an Arenado trade. Cardinals outfielder Harrison Bader fits that description and could be a starting piece, as the 25-year-old finished sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018.
The Rockies and Arenado agreed to an eight-year, $260-million contract extension last winter. However, the pact includes a full no-trade clause and an opt-out following the 2021 season.
The Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves are reportedly among several clubs that are also interested in the 28-year-old.