MLB Rumors: Astros ‘Serious Suitor’ For Reported Red Sox Target

The Astros made a big trade Friday, and they might not be done.

Houston traded Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith. That trade might have opened up an opportunity to acquire a star infielder as the Astros emerged as a “serious suitor” for Nolan Arenado, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome on Saturday. Rome added that no deal is believed to be “imminent” but conversations between the Cardinals and Astros increased since the MLB winter meetings.

The Red Sox were linked to a potential blockbuster trade for the St. Louis star. The All-Star third baseman controls where he can go due to his no-trade clause, which he reportedly would be willing to waive to join Boston.

If the Astros do acquire Arenado, it would completely rule them out of a reunion with Alex Bregman, another player the Red Sox were linked to during winter meetings.

Houston general manager Dana Brown told reporters after the Tucker trade that nothing had changed with Bregman negotiations. The Astros reportedly have a six-year, $156 million offer on the table for the All-Star infielder.

The dominoes in the infield market could depend on which team the Cardinals trade Arenado to.