Don’t look now, but spring training for the Boston Red Sox, and the rest of the teams across MLB, is right around the corner.
And even with Red Sox pitchers and catchers reporting in two-and-a-half weeks, it feels like their offseason is still incomplete.
Sure, the Red Sox made big acquisitions by trading for Garrett Crochet and signing Walker Buehler and Aroldis Chapman in free agency. But they have yet to obtain a right-handed bat to balance out the lineup and feels like they are one piece missing in the bullpen.
So, do the Red Sox have one more sizable move left in them before camp opens? ESPN’s MLB analyst Jesse Rogers sure thinks they do.
“After exhausting attempts to sign (Alex) Bregman, the Red Sox pivot to (Nolan) Arenado as the St. Louis Cardinals start to exhibit a bit of desperation with the season approaching,” Rogers wrote. “The fit in St. Louis just isn’t right anymore and everyone knows it. The Cardinals aren’t concerned with money owed to Arenado, so they’re willing to pick up a portion of it because they want quality prospects in return. Boston can deliver that.”
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It does feel like the Red Sox are at a stalemate with Bregman given the latest reports, meaning Arenado is their next-best option to land an impact right-hander hitter.
The Red Sox have been viewed as a likely landing spot for Arenado, who has accomplished more than most in his 12-year MLB career. The 32-year-old third baseman is an eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner.
Of course, trading for Arenado would create some complications for Boston’s infield. The Red Sox would need to find another spot on the diamond for Rafael Devers to play, which is easier said than done.
Arenado, who is owed $74 million over the next three seasons, would need to waive his no-trade clause to come to Boston — he already rejected a trade to the Houston Astros — and it’s been reported that the Red Sox are Arenado’s “preferred destination.“
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And there’s at least one member of the Red Sox who would be thrilled to see Arenado in a Red Sox uniform.
“Obviously that seems like a cool idea and we would love that,” Trevor Story told NESN.com earlier this month. “I think he would thrive in Boston just given his intensity, his love for the game, his passion for the game. He’s a superstar, man. I don’t think we’re turning down anybody that wants to play in Boston and wants to do it. Obviously a cool idea, but a lot of things need to happen for that.”
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