The Boston Red Sox failed to sign Juan Soto in free agency, but have been linked to a different superstar in recent weeks.
The Red Sox are one of the six teams St. Louis Cardinals superstar Nolan Arenado is willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to. The Red Sox would finally be able to move Rafael Devers to first base and feel comfortable trading Triston Casas if they landed Arenado. Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer proposed this trade that dumps Masataka Yoshida to the Cardinals for Arenado:
- Red Sox receive: third baseman Nolan Arenado
- Cardinals receive: designated hitter Masataka Yoshida and shortstop Yoeilin Cespedes (No. 5 prospect)
Unlike most deals that would include Arenado, the Cardinals may not be asked to take on a chunk of his contract. In 2019, Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million deal with the Colorado Rockies before he was traded to the Cardinals.
The Red Sox would be giving up a top-five prospect and getting rid of an expensive contract of their own. Yoshida signed a five-year, $90 million deal in 2023 and has failed to live up to expectations so far.
In two big league seasons, Yoshida has a .285 batting average and a .775 OPS. He has hit 25 home runs in 248 games. In four of his final five seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, he eclipsed 20 home runs, but he has failed to do so in Major League Baseball.
Yoshida is a good player, but not what the Red Sox expected. Arenado is an eight-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, 10-time Gold Glover and six-time Platinum Glover. Last season he hit .272 with 16 home runs in what was considered a down season.
The Cardinals are looking to rebuild, and Yoshida could be a solid addition to their young team. Meanwhile, Arenado could be the superstar the Red Sox have been looking for all offseason.
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