Remind me what the proposed package for Arenado was going to look like? Arenado 3B, Paredes 2B/3B, Altuve LF/2B, Dubon Super Utility?
Arenado isn’t great but he’d be a legit everyday player and easily their 6th best overall hitter. If Houston takes on <$50M and doesn’t give up any of their top 8 prospects, I think it’s a good trade for them to make.
Arenado is the best defensive 3B’men of this generation who hit .270+ with 18hr in a bad lineup in 2024. How’s he not great?
His defense is even better than Bregman. His offense is average now since he lost his power over the last 2 seasons but he still gets on base and doesn't strike out.
The evidence that he’s “not great” is pretty strong. At age 33, all of the following were the worst of his career: Avg exit velo Max exit velo Barrel % Hard hit % Slugging % ISO % Baserunning value He also posted the worst overall offensive performance of his career outside of his rookie year and the shortened 2020 season. There are also a lot of things you could point to for optimism. But when a player in his mid-30s posts the worst power and speed numbers of his career, the odds of him being in irreversible decline are very, very high.
The things that gives me hope about Arenado: Was better in 2nd half (107 wRC+ vs 99 wRC+) Career .815 OPS at the DP vs .794 OPS in St.L. There is some chance he was demoralized by the team and could be reenergized. I got nothing else.
Well…so much for that…just posted in the Athletic. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Although the Houston Astros re-engaged in brief trade discussions with the St. Louis Cardinals regarding third baseman Nolan Arenado, multiple sources said that no deal is gaining traction, nor has Arenado’s thought process changed for now about approving a trade to the Astros. “I don’t feel anything is imminent,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Saturday afternoon. “I can’t comment or chase every rumor.” The Astros circled back with the Cardinals soon after franchise cornerstone Alex Bregman agreed to a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox, according to multiple sources. One source described a discussed deal between the two teams as a “non-starter.” Another source called it a “long shot” that the Astros acquire Arenado, who blocked a trade to Houston in early December. MLB.com first reported on Saturday that the Astros had re-engaged with the Cardinals. In the offseason, Arenado presented Mozeliak with a list of five teams he would consider waiving his full no-trade clause for if the Cardinals proceeded forward with moving him, multiple sources said. Though the Astros were originally listed, Arenado ultimately invoked his no-trade clause due to the timing of the deal. Arenado was unsure about multiple factors, sources said, including the trajectory of the Astros organization. Houston had traded Kyle Tucker days prior and was unlikely to bring back Bregman, which gave Arenado pause. Also, Arenado wanted more clarity about his own market, which was less established at the time. He did not give the Astros a definitive no, per sources, though he said for the time being that he would not waive his no-trade clause. The Astros pivoted shortly after, signing Christian Walker to a three-year deal. That the Astros have even re-engaged with the Cardinals accentuates their skepticism about a depth-starved infield without Jose Altuve. Inquiring again about Arenado also underscored the seriousness of Altuve’s spring training work in left field. Trading for Arenado would guarantee Altuve is Houston’s everyday left fielder and move current third baseman Isaac Paredes to second base, a position numerous rival evaluators have questioned whether he can handle. For now, Mauricio Dubón, Luis Guillorme, Brendan Rodgers and Zack Short are competing to play second base on days Altuve plays left field.
Have them throw in Brendan Donovan or Nootbar while they're at it. I would give up some good young pitching for Nootbar.
Doesn’t mean it’s not in the works… Brian McTaggart doesn’t come out like he did today with his reporting unless he knows something is coming close or being worked on. It still might not happen, but Tags isn’t the one to write a piece with the type of details with money unless he is sure.
Dang Meyers really sucks if Dubon is better... Then who we have for utility? Holy crap we need another bat.
