During the previous offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals sought to trade Nolan Arenado to reduce payroll, but the planned deal with the Houston Astros collapsed after Arenado invoked his no-trade clause to block the move. The Cardinals later explored a trade with the Boston Red Sox, but that prospect ended when the Red Sox committed to Alex Bregman by signing him to a three-year, $120 million contract.
Potential Shift in Red Sox Roster and Its Impact
Alex Bregman’s contract includes an opt-out clause after this season, which introduces uncertainty regarding his future with Boston. According to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, there is a strong possibility Bregman may opt out and join the Detroit Tigers.
“Alex Bregman signed a three-year, $120M contract this past winter, but he can opt out either this winter or next if he so chooses,” —Kerry Miller, Bleacher Report
“If he even remotely maintains what has been easily his most impressive OPS since nearly winning AL MVP in 2019, it doesn’t take a leap of faith to assume he will re-enter free agency.” —Kerry Miller, Bleacher Report
If Bregman exercises his opt-out and decides to sign elsewhere, this could reopen discussions between the Cardinals and Red Sox regarding a trade for Arenado.
Current Performance of Nolan Arenado and Trade Prospects
In 2025, Arenado has experienced a notable decline in performance, batting just .235 with an OPS of .660, accompanied by 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. His offensive struggles suggest that the Cardinals may struggle to secure significant value in return if they pursue a trade, even if they cover a large portion of his contract.
Despite this, trading Arenado could enable St. Louis to promote Nolan Gorman to the starting third baseman role while freeing up payroll for the 2026 season. This strategic move might be aligned with the Cardinals’ broader rebuild plans.
Front Office Influence and Future Outlook
Chaim Bloom, who is expected to become the Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations, previously held the same position with the Red Sox and was instrumental in building their strong farm system. His involvement could influence future roster decisions, including the status of Arenado and how the Cardinals manage their third-base position.
With Bregman’s potential opt-out hanging over the Red Sox and Arenado’s diminishing performance, the possibility of renewed Nolan Arenado trade talks with the Cardinals remains a key storyline in MLB’s offseason landscape.