Nolan Arenado is one of the best third basemen of this generation and reportedly is open to being traded. The St. Louis Cardinals have yet to find a trade partner for him, but as opening day gets closer, the Boston Red Sox could make a move for the superstar. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers predicted the Red Sox would find a way to add Arenado to their infield.

“After exhausting attempts to sign Bregman, the Red Sox pivot to Arenado as the St. Louis Cardinals start to exhibit a bit of desperation with the season approaching,” wrote Rogers. “The fit in St. Louis just isn’t right anymore and everyone knows it. The Cardinals aren’t concerned with money owed to Arenado, so they’re willing to pick up a portion of it because they want quality prospects in return. Boston can deliver that.”

Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million deal with the Colorado Rockies. He was then traded to the Cardinals and will be a free agent in 2028. He is an eight-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, 10-time Gold Glover and six-time Platinum Glover. Trading for Arenado would allow the Red Sox to move Rafael Devers to first base and be comfortable trading Triston Casas. Last season Arenado hit 16 home runs and had a .272 batting average.

The Red Sox may be more willing than other suitors to take on a larger portion of Arenado’s contract. The Red Sox were in the Juan Soto sweepstakes earlier this winter and are not scared to spend. If the market for Arenado heats up, the Red Sox could simply outbid other teams by taking on more of his salary. The Red Sox were one of the six initial teams Arenado was willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to.