“Roster Rumbles: Movers, Shakers, and Breakout Stars in Boston and Beyond”
Title: The Red Sox’ Pursuit of Nolan Arenado: A Potential Game-Changer
The Boston Red Sox are rumored to be in the running for star third baseman Nolan Arenado, who is willing to waive his no-trade protection to join the team. According to MLB.com’s John Denton, the Red Sox are one of six teams that Arenado would consider trading to, along with the Mets, Phillies, Padres, Dodgers, and Angels.
Acquiring Arenado would fill several major needs on the Red Sox’ offseason shopping list, including adding a right-handed bat to the middle of the lineup and improving the team’s subpar infield defense. Arenado is also close friends with former Rockies teammate Trevor Story, who is already a member of the Red Sox.
However, there are a few hurdles that the Red Sox must overcome in order to acquire Arenado. For one, the team already has a star third baseman in Rafael Devers, who has said that he will not move to another position. If the Red Sox were to trade for Arenado, Devers could potentially become the new first baseman or designated hitter, which could create other conflicts within the team.
Another potential issue is the salary cap implications of trading for Arenado. The third baseman is owed $74 million over the next three seasons, which could be a significant burden for the Red Sox. However, the team may be able to absorb the entire contract and still stay under the luxury tax threshold.
Despite these challenges, the Red Sox are reportedly still in the running for Arenado, and have been in discussions with the Cardinals about a potential trade. If the team is able to come to an agreement with the Cardinals, it could be a major coup for the Red Sox, who have been looking to add a right-handed bat to their lineup.
FAQ:
Q: Why is the Red Sox interested in acquiring Nolan Arenado?
A: The Red Sox are interested in acquiring Arenado because he would fill several major needs on their offseason shopping list, including adding a right-handed bat to the middle of the lineup and improving the team’s subpar infield defense.
Q: Why is it difficult for the Red Sox to acquire Arenado?
A: It is difficult for the Red Sox to acquire Arenado because the team already has a star third baseman in Rafael Devers, who has said that he will not move to another position. Additionally, Arenado is owed $74 million over the next three seasons, which could be a significant burden for the Red Sox.
Q: How might the Red Sox be able to absorb Arenado’s salary?
A: The Red Sox may be able to absorb Arenado’s salary by trading away a player who makes a similar amount of money, such as Triston Casas. Alternatively, the team may be able to convince the Cardinals to take the bulk of Arenado’s salary in exchange for a better prospect.
Conclusion:
The Red Sox’ pursuit of Nolan Arenado is a developing story that has the potential to be a game-changer for the team. If the Red Sox are able to come to an agreement with the Cardinals and acquire Arenado, it would be a major coup for the team, which has been looking to add a right-handed bat to their lineup. However, there are a few hurdles that the Red Sox must overcome in order to make the trade happen, including the salary cap implications of acquiring Arenado and the potential conflicts that could arise from trading away players like Triston Casas.
