Products You May Like
What started as a tumultuous offseason for the Toronto Blue Jays has taken on a more positive tone in recent weeks.
After missing out on superstars like Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Roki Sasaki early in free agency, the Blue Jays have started to cook. In January alone, they signed 2024 All-Stars Jeff Hoffman and Anthony Santander, then future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer.
With one or two more major additions, the Blue Jays might start being viewed more like division title contenders than the last-place team they were in 2024. And with superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. heading to free agency in a year, Toronto must compete for the playoffs this year.
To that end, FanSided’s Austin Owens recently suggested that the “desperate” Blue Jays could make a trade for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, who has three years left on his deal and seems to be looking for a way out of town.
“Trading for Nolan Arenado could improve the Blue Jays offense tremendously,” wrote.
“If Guerrero is staying put, a lineup with Bo Bichette, Anthony Santander, Vladdy, George Springer and Nolan Arenado could suddenly put Toronto in the mix for playoff contention.”
Arenado, 33, is an eight-time National League All-Star and 10-time Gold Glover at third base, but he’s coming off a down year in 2024. He has three years and $74 million remaining on his contract, which has been an obstacle in finding a trade partner.
Because he has a full no-trade clause, Arenado can also control where he’s dealt, and that’s the biggest potential roadblock if Toronto is interested. Arenado already nixed a trade to the Houston Astros, and with Guerrero’s future uncertain, he might not want to commit himself to Toronto.
However, it doesn’t seem as if any of Arenado’s preferred teams are close to taking the bait, and Spring Training is drawing nearer. If the Blue Jays show interest and no one else does, the superstar veteran might be open to the idea of moving up north.
More MLB: Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer signing could help lure Mets 4-time All-Star to Toronto