The Cubs and Cardinals might do something that would make their fans’ heads spin – work together on a trade. And not just any trade, but one involving Nolan Arenado.
The Cubs need a third baseman after missing out on Alex Bregman, who’s headed to Boston. That’s where Arenado comes in. The eight-time All-Star could be available, and ESPN’s Buster Olney sees the logic in a potential deal.
“What’s next for Nolan Arenado? Well, one team that would be a theoretical fit would be the Cubs, one of the teams that missed out on Alex Bregman,” Olney wrote. “They need a third baseman, while the Cards are trying to move the player and money… But St. Louis would have to get comfortable trading with a rival.”
Let’s be real – Cubs and Cardinals fans are raised to despise each other. It’s baseball’s version of the Hatfields and McCoys. But when it comes to making their teams better, that rivalry might need to take a backseat.
Arenado isn’t coming off his best year. His .719 OPS and 101 OPS+ in 2024 were his lowest marks since 2013. But there’s reason for optimism – his swing adjustments in the second half started producing better contact. Sometimes a change of scenery, especially to a team with playoff aspirations, can rejuvenate a player.
The sticking point here is money. Arenado’s still owed $64 million over the next three years from that massive $260 million deal he originally signed with Colorado. If the Cardinals are willing to eat enough of that contract, both sides might decide that helping a rival is worth it.
The way things are going in St. Louis, they’re not exactly gearing up for a playoff run. Meanwhile, the Cubs are looking to add another impact bat. Sometimes the best deals are the ones that make both fanbases a little uncomfortable.
