BREAKING TRADE: Red Sox Rival Pursue Nolan Arenado Trade in blockbuster for a brutal reason while Red Sox not worrying about the interference of an American League East rival.

The Boston Red Sox appear to be gaining momentum in their pursuit of St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.

The Red Sox, in need of a right-handed bat, wouldn’t face the burden of a long-term contract and have emerged as a “strong candidate” to acquire Arenado. They would simply take on the remaining $74 million of his contract without the threat of interference from an AL East rival.

“The New York Yankees do not appear interested in Arenado, and I don’t know if he’s interested in going to the Yankees anyway,” MLB insider Jon Heyman stated during Bleacher Report’s “B/R Walk-Off” stream on Wednesday.

Heyman also noted the complexities of such a deal, citing Arenado’s full no-trade clause and the need to adjust his salary. “It’s difficult. It’s not easy. At the moment, it does feel like the Red Sox are the most likely landing spot if he does go somewhere, and he probably should because I think he wants to go,” Heyman added.

Arenado could serve as a short-term solution for Boston’s need for a right-handed bat while also giving Rafael Devers some relief from playing third base every day. Arenado has a history with Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story, having spent six seasons together with the Colorado Rockies, which could further facilitate the move.

After a down year with the Cardinals in 2024, the 33-year-old Arenado may be eager for a rebound in 2025. In 152 games, he batted .272 with 16 home runs—his lowest total since the COVID-shortened 2020 season—and 71 RBIs. However, with 10 Gold Gloves, five Silver Sluggers, and eight All-Star appearances in his 12-year MLB career, his 2024 season is likely an anomaly.

Fenway Park could play a key role in reigniting Arenado’s offensive production. The park’s more hitter-friendly left-field dimensions (310 feet from home plate) are significantly shorter than Busch Stadium’s (336 and 375 feet), which could lead to a surge in home runs and extra-base hits for Arenado in Boston.

Adding Arenado could also position the Red Sox to better compete with the AL pennant-defending Yankees in 2025.