The Houston Astros appear to have accepted that they won’t re-sign franchise third baseman. To prepare for life without him, Houston recently traded Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for corner infielder Isaac Paredes. However, the Astros could use Paredes at first base while pursuing another major trade to secure a third baseman.
One potential target is St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Arenado, whom the Cardinals are aggressively looking to move. Arenado has $52 million remaining on his contract, and St. Louis is reportedly willing to cover a significant portion of that to facilitate a trade. The challenge is Arenado’s no-trade clause, which currently excludes Houston as one of the six teams he’d agree to join. However, as the offseason progresses and trade pressure mounts, Arenado might expand his list, opening the door for a blockbuster deal with the Astros.
Here’s a proposed trade scenario:
Astros receive: 3B Nolan Arenado, $20 million
Cardinals receive: RHP A.J. Blubaugh (No. 10 prospect), RHP Rhett Kouba (No. 25 prospect)
For Houston, this deal allows them to replace Bregman at a lower cost. St. Louis would contribute $20 million, covering about 40% of Arenado’s remaining contract, saving Houston from committing $200 million to Bregman’s future.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, would shed $32 million of Arenado’s contract and acquire two promising pitching prospects. Blubaugh, 24, showed strong potential in 2024 and is poised for further growth in 2025. Kouba, while struggling in 2024 after three strong seasons, could benefit from a fresh start and represents a solid buy-low opportunity for St. Louis.
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