Chance 'High' $260 Million Eight-Time All-Star Accepts Deal to Red Sox, Per Report

The St. Louis Cardinals now plan to "reset" for the 2025 season, according to the team's president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, in order to free up cash to rebuild team after a mediocre 83-79 campaign. Last season saw the Redbirds miss the playoffs for the second straight year, and only the ninth time since the year 2000.

That means the Cardinals' highest paid player, third baseman Nolan Arenado, is now on the trading block, just four years after St. Louis traded five players, including three minor league prospects, to pry the 10-time Gold Glove winner from the Colorado Rockies. Arenado had just signed an eight-year, $260 million contract with the Rockies in 2019.

Although Mozeliak has been clear about his "intention" to deal Arenado, there is a catch. The 10-time All-Star Arenado has a solid no-trade clause built into his contract. According to an MLB.com report in December, Arenado is not opposed to being traded, but has a narrow list of teams that he would find suitable.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws to first base for a double play during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June... Paul Rutherford/Getty Images

There are only six, according to the report. Not surprisingly, the 33-year-old Southern California native includes all three teams from that region — the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres — on his list. But per MLB.com, Arenado would also accept trades to three East Coast teams. Those are the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox.

Of course, Arenado would always be within his rights to veto a trade to any team, even one on his supposed list. However, on New Year's Day, a prominent Cardinals fan account on X (formerly Twitter), Cardinals Live, claimed that according to its own sources, the chance that Arenado would OK a trade to the Red Sox was "high."

"No offer has been formally made but multiple conversations have occurred in the Sox front office if some of their other options are unavailable — maybe even if they are," Cardinals Live posted.

The Cardinals Live post said that rumors had linked Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida to a trade for Arenado, but Yoshida's name had not come up in any discussions so far.

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