Report: Nolan Arenado ‘open’ to moving to first base if traded

Report: Nolan Arenado ‘open’ to moving to first base if traded

While there are very real obstacles to hurdle because of the deferred money and the full no-trade clause, it’s becoming more apparent each day that Nolan Arenado‘s days in St. Louis are coming to a close.

Though as the franchise continues to explore a trade, it appears that the 10-time gold glove third baseman is “open” to possibly moving to the opposite corner infield position.

“As the Cardinals shift directions and contemplate trading Arenado, the 10-time Gold Glove-winning third baseman is willing to play first base, or at least less at third, to create roster flexibility for a potential new team, league sources briefed on his situation say,” Katie Woo of The Athletic reported Tuesday. “How Arenado’s availability will impact the market is not yet clear.

“Outside of Alex Bregman, the third-base options available via free agency are lacking. The first-base class is headlined by Pete Alonso, followed by Christian Walker, Anthony Rizzo and former teammate Paul Goldschmidt. This would suggest Arenado’s willingness to play first base would likely only be a factor for teams who already have a third baseman locked up for the considerable future.”

Arenado’s bat has declined each of the last two seasons, sporting a .746 OPS (104 OPS+), averaging 47 extra-base hits, 21 home runs and 82 RBIs. Busch Stadium hasn’t been the most power-friendly park to play half your games in. But Arenado has graded in the 32nd percentile or worse in hard-hit rate and in the 40th percentile or worse in barrel rate in four of the last five seasons, according to Baseball Savant.

He has, however, been incredibly valuable defensively at third base. That’s arguably his most valuable trait at this stage of his career, whether his bat comes back around or not. He’s logged at least nine outs-above-average in seven of the nine seasons since it started being tracked in 2016, grading in the 95th percentile or better in all but one of those seasons.

Boston Red Sox 2024-25 MLB Offseason Guide

Trading for him will already have plenty of hurdles. He will entering his age-34 season and is owed $74 million over the next three seasons with built-in deferrals through 2041, per Spotrac. He owns a full no-trade clause, and John Mozeliak likely won’t trade him just to trade him, thus making it very tricky for what the potential prospect capital will be.

It makes even less sense to make him play a position he’s never played before. It’d be one thing if he was still an above-average bat. He’s no longer that player until proven otherwise, and even then it’d make little-to-no-sense because of how gifted he is patrolling the hot corner.

***

Click Here for more MLB Content

Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

Check out the Vendetta Shop

Check out Vendetta Fantasy Contests