MLB Rumors: These Teams Engaged In Nolan Arenado Talks Along With Red Sox

The Red Sox reportedly were in trade conversations for Nolan Arenado and apparently were on a long list of suitors.

Boston signed Alex Bregman to fill its need for a dominant right-handed bat for the lineup. That left Arenado stuck with the St. Louis Cardinals as the Gold Glove third baseman reportedly was “highly, highly motivated” to join the Red Sox, one of the few teams he’d drop his no-trade clause for.

Despite that shortlist, other teams reportedly tried to acquire the All-Star. According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo on Friday, the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels inquired about Arenado.

“Those conversations did not yield much, as all three teams were considered non-starters,” Woo wrote.

Those three teams were among nine organizations the Cardinals had conversations with, according to Woo. That included the Red Sox, who were in communication with St. Louis until they signed Bregman.

It’s not clear who the other teams the Cardinals spoke to were. However, Arenado’s list of teams he’d drop his no-trade clause for was Boston, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Yankees, the San Diego Padres and the Astros, according to Woo. Arenado balked at the chance to be traded to Houston due to the uncertainty around the franchise, including not being able to re-sign Bregman. And the 33-year-old will have to hope something changes midseason if he wants out of St. Louis.

That’s not the Red Sox’s problem as they prepare for a new era after signing Bregman and making moves to bolster their rotation.