Red Sox Rumors: Re-Sign Alex Bregman Or Trade For Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado?

Time for some Hot Stove talk about the hot corner. Specifically, what will the Boston Red Sox do when it comes to finding a starting third baseman for 2026 and beyond?

Clearly, the first option is to re-sign Alex Bregman. But his return isn’t a sure thing, so chief baseball officer Craig Breslow needs to explore alternatives.

On Tuesday, MLB.com’s Mike Petriello named seven teams which are best fits for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, who is on the trade market. The Red Sox checked in at No. 3.

So which player makes the most sense for the Red Sox?

Stay The Course?

Certainly there is a lot of momentum for Bregman to return to Beantown. He earned rave reviews for his bat and his glove, not to mention his clubhouse leadership in helping to mentor some of the Red Sox’s younger players, including outfielder Roman Anthony.

Bregman earned his third All-Star nod while playing for Boston in 2025. His .273 batting average and .821 OPS were his highest since 2019. And he still has plenty of pop in his bat, as proven by his 18 home runs and 62 RBIs.

The 31-year-old’s resume also includes a Gold Glove Award, Silver Slugger Award and a pair of World Series titles from his time with the Houston Astros.

But Bregman also missed almost two months of the 2025 season with a right quad strain. He also is looking for a massive payday after opting out of his three-year, $120 million contract. Current projections have Bregman getting as much as a six-or seven-year deal worth almost $30 million per season.

That’s a huge financial commitment for someone whose best days are behind him. And it could prevent the Red Sox from adding another bat like Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber or New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.

“If the Red Sox decide to go all in on a big bat, they will have the money to do so,” The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey reports. “The Athletic projects Alonso signing for five years and $140 million; Schwarber for five years, $145 million; and Bregman for six years, $171 million. Each carries an average annual value between $28 million and $29 million.”

Wheel And Deal?

There’s no doubt Arenado is heading into the twilight of his career. He hit a career-low. 237 in 2025. And Arenado’s power numbers (12 home runs, 52 RBIs, .666 OPS) were his worst since his rookie year in 2013, COVID season not withstanding.

In his prime, Arenado was a force, earning six top-10 finishes in MVP voting. The eight-time All-Star has won 10 Gold Glove Awards, six Platinum Glove Awards and five Silver Slugger Awards.

Yes, the 34-year-old has clearly lost a step. But here’s the rub: Arenado has just two years and $42 million remaining on his contract. If Boston is willing to deal with his his drop in production, Arenado could be a nice short-term solution with one of the Red Sox’s top prospects (Marcelo Mayer? Franklin Arias?) waiting in the wings.

Going with Arenado could also leave the Red Sox with enough money to sign both Schwarber and Alonso. If Breslow is willing to do another deal with former Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, who just sent right-hander Sonny Gray from St. Louis to Boston, it’s possible Arenado could be the right man for the job.

“Boston’s well-stocked farm system, in addition to a group of young outfielders, also gives the Red Sox options to bolster the team on the trade market,” McCaffrey notes.

“In acquiring Gray while only parting with (Brandon) Clarke and (Richard) Fitts, the Red Sox have kept their system well stocked,” McCaffrey adds.

“(Arenado) was linked to the Red Sox last winter, and Boston was one of five teams he was willing to approve for a trade,” The Athletic’s Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo report. “But it’s difficult to imagine those talks possibly reviving until Bregman, who opted out of his deal with the Red Sox, makes a decision.”

But Breslow might not have the luxury of time in deciding if he wants Arenado.

“The Arizona Diamondbacks could be a fit if they do not pursue a reunion with (Eugenio) Suárez,” The Athletic reports.

“The Detroit Tigers need a third baseman, though Arenado was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause for them last year,” according to The Athletic.

“The Los Angeles Angels were also a non-starter for Arenado then, but the team is located in his native Orange County, and could be one to watch if the third-base market lags into the second half of the offseason – though Anthony Rendon is under contract for one more season at $38 million,” The Athletic adds.

Yes, the Hot Stove hot corner chatter is heating up, and if Breslow doesn’t play his cards right, he and the Red Sox could end up getting burned in the end.