But it appears the chatter between the two teams has picked up again.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, who cited sources, reported Tuesday that the “Red Sox and Cardinals have had recent communication about Nolan Arenado.”

Arenado has been linked to the Red Sox throughout the offseason as the 33-year-old third baseman wants out of St. Louis. Arenado reportedly blocked a trade to the Houston Astros in the middle of December and it was reported that the eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner views the Red Sox as his “preferred destination.”

Arenado certainly would fill a need for Boston. Morosi’s report comes a day after Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy told reporters the franchise still eagerly wants to acquire a right-handed bat.

“That’s still a goal. It has been since the beginning,” Kennedy said, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “Obviously with Vaughn (Grissom) and Trevor (Story) hopefully coming into spring training healthy, we feel better about the more balanced nature of the lineup. But if we can add a right-handed bat, we would love to do that.”

Morosi noted that Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, who served in that role for the Red Sox for four seasons, has integral knowledge of Boston’s farm system, which could help facilitate a trade. The Cardinals reportedly would take on a chunk of Arenado’s salary, too, as he’s owed $74 million over the next three seasons.

Arenado’s production dipped this past season after hitting 26 home runs and collecting 93 RBIs in 2023. Arenado batted .272 with 16 homers and 72 RBIs, which were his lowest full-season totals in a decade. But perhaps making a home at Fenway Park could revitalize his impactful right-handed swing.

If the Red Sox do end up landing Arenado, it would presumably take them out of the running for Alex Bregman, who continues to have rumors swirl around him as he remains on the free agent market.