Dodgers Exec Pours Cold Water On Potential Blockbuster For Cardinals $260M Superstar

The St. Louis slugger might have to seek a trade elsewhere
Aug 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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The St. Louis Cardinals have an open mind for this offseason's trade market but their options are limited with their youth-laden roster.

Cardinals veterans with high price tags, such as Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras, have invoked their no-trade clauses, leaving St. Louis with even fewer options.

A Cardinals fan favorite frequently involved in trade rumors might be able to cross the Los Angeles Dodgers off the list of potential spots he could be dealt to this winter following the news of an executive's expectations for 2025.

"(Dodgers) general manager Brandon Gomes also expects Max Muncy to be Dodgers opening day third baseman," MLB Network's David Vassegh reported Monday evening.

Despite Muncy being willing to switch positions if the Dodgers traded for Arenado, Gomes's expectations for Los Angeles' third baseman next season indicate the defending World Series champions have no plans of dealing for the Cardinals fan favorite.

Arenado was born and raised in southern California and grew up a Dodgers fan. The five-time Silver Slugger recently posted a teaser on Instagram that could've been a hint as to where he wants to play next year -- with his childhood favorite team, of course.

Unfortunately for Arenado, Muncy is a capable third baseman who is well-liked by Dodgers fans, so it's not as if Los Angeles desperately needs to find a replacement.

Trading the six-time Platinum Glove defender could be tricky given all the mitigating factors concerning Arenado -- the $74 million remaining on his contract, his desire to join only a contender and the fact that he endured the worst offensive season of his career in 2024.

It's possible Arenado isn't traded but that could change quickly over the next few days at this year's Winter Meetings.

More MLB: Cardinals Ryan Helsley Could Be Traded To AL East Rival Looking For Bonafide Closer


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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu