Any conversation about a potential trade featuring St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado typically features the same teams, usually the Houston Astros and New York Yankees.
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden has another American League team in mind, and the Detroit Tigers make far more sense than one might think at first glance.
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The Tigers have lived up to the offseason hype thus far, entering play Monday at 22-13 and atop the AL Central. In fact, the Tigers quietly own the American League’s best record, with only the Los Angeles Dodgers having more wins.
Could Arenado be the final piece Detroit needs to solidify itself as a legitimate World Series contender? Bowden certainly believes so, proposing the Tigers consider trading pitcher Josh Randall and third baseman Carson Rucker to the Cardinals for Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and likely future Hall of Famer.
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan ArenadoKatie Stratman-Imagn Images
“Arenado has a full no-trade clause and has not indicated he would accept a move to the Motor City,” Bowden noted. “However, perhaps the eight-time All-Star would reconsider the opportunity to join Detroit, a playoff team with one of the best and deepest five-man rotations in MLB.”
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The Tigers pursued former Astros third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency and offered him a six-year, $171 million contract. However, Bregman opted to sign with the Boston Red Sox on a three-year, $120 million deal with opt-outs following the next two seasons.
Arenado won’t become a free agent until after the 2027 season. The five-time Silver Slugger is hitting .254 with three home runs, 14 RBI, and nine doubles over 138 plate appearances.
Arenado clearly isn’t the power hitter he once was, and he’s on pace for his fewest home runs in a non-shortened season since 2013. However, his .341 on-base percentage is his second-highest since 2020, and he’s drawn 15 walks to 11 strikeouts.
However, an older Arenado, one still capable of playing above-average defense, is still an upgrade over Andy Ibáñez. We’ll see if Arenado, assuming a move to Detroit is potentially on the table, is willing to waive his no-trade clause if it means joining a motivated championship hopeful.
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