The Boston Red Sox have struggled to secure the blockbuster free agent moves that fans and their star player, Rafael Devers, have been hoping for.
Last offseason, the front office promised a “full throttle” approach, but the results fell short, leading to executives being booed at a fan event. Just before the 2024 season began, Devers publicly called for the front office to “make an adjustment to help us win.”
This winter, the Red Sox could finally make a significant move by pursuing top free agents like Juan Soto and Blake Snell, who are expected to command substantial contracts. Alternatively, Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer suggests that Boston could go big on the trade market, proposing a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals that would send eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado to the Red Sox in exchange for Masataka Yoshida.
Rymer noted that while the Red Sox have a solid lineup, it would be more balanced and effective with improved defense. Even at 33, Arenado could be a valuable asset on both defense and offense. Over his 12-year career, Arenado has posted a .285/.342/.515 slash line and earned 10 Gold Glove Awards. In 2024, though his offensive numbers dipped to a .272/.325/.394 line, he still led the majors with a .977 fielding percentage at third base, along with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs.
Arenado still has some years left on his contract, with $52 million owed over the next three seasons after signing an eight-year, $260 million deal with the Colorado Rockies in 2019. However, the Red Sox could gain more value from that salary than the Cardinals, as Arenado would add a crucial right-handed bat to their lineup. His tendency to pull the ball to left field would also make him a good fit for Fenway Park.
Moreover, this trade could provide relief for Devers by allowing the Red Sox to shift him to first base. Rymer pointed out that this move has seemed inevitable, given Devers’ inconsistent defensive play at third.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, moving Arenado’s salary would help their rebuilding efforts. Yoshida, who has yet to fully live up to his five-year, $90 million deal with Boston, could be a project for St. Louis. If the Cardinals believe Yoshida can develop further, this trade could benefit both teams in the long run.
