Cardinals Exec Speaks Out After Nolan Arenado-Red Sox Report

Boston and St. Louis appear to be talking about a Nolan Arenado trade, but both clubs are keeping their cards close to the vest.

Arenado has been attached to the Red Sox in rumors for months, but The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier on Wednesday reported the sides currently are “engaged in discussions” about the star third baseman. Not long after Speier’s report came out, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak addressed the team’s attempts to trade Arenado.

“We’re still looking,” Mozeliak told reporters, per The Athletic’s Katie Woo. “Could something happen next week? Possibly. Could this go into camp? Possibly.”

It’s unclear how many other teams — if any — are speaking with St. Louis about a potential Arenado trade outside of Boston. As for the Red Sox-Cardinals negotiations, the primary sticking point appears to be the remaining money owed to the 33-year-old. St. Louis’ main reason for trading Arenado probably is to dump salary, while Boston reportedly would only have “iffy” interest in the eight-time All-Star if the Cards aren’t willing to take on a certain chunk of the cash.

So, much like the Red Sox’s pursuit of Alex Bregman, it might come down to which side blinks first. And considering Arenado isn’t a picture-perfect fit in Boston, Craig Breslow and company don’t really have any reason to succumb to St. Louis’ pressures.