Dodgers Rumors: The Latest on the Nolan Arenado Trade Saga

The Cardinals are leaving Nolan in the dark and it's feeling more and more like a trade to the Dodgers could be a reality.

The rumor winds linking the Dodgers to Cardinals' star Nolan Arenado haven't really died down as Tuesday's trade deadline approaches. 

Arenado has long been a target for the Dodgers and, seemingly, Nolan has longed to play for the team he grew up rooting for. At the moment, it feels like the match made in blue heaven is closer than it's ever been before.

The Cardinals see the rumors and trade chatter. And, surprisingly, they haven't done much to come out and shut them down. When the Angels essentially pulled Shohei Ohtani from the trade market, it came with a message. 

St. Louis isn't sending that message.

If #STLCards are not trading Nolan Arenado, they are handling it very poorly. Front office has ghosted, leaving Arenado to speak on reports and rumors tonight after game. He initially declined, then came back and talked. He’s a pro, but he’s frustrated. Bad spot for him to be in.

— Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) July 29, 2023

Arenado addressed the rumors and his future as a Red Bird with reporters on Friday. And it seems like he's really not sure where he'll be playing after August 1st.

“Whatever happens happens. It’s hard for me to sit here and speak on some of these things. I think the Cardinals, those guys are smart up there. I think they’re looking at every way to make this team better, and that’s just kind of how I see it. They're are just doing their due diligence, as they should.

Via Belleville News-Democrat

Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci believes the smoke to this rumor, saying recently on MLB Network that "there's a good chance [a deal] could come to fruition." A key reason why is the Dodgers' wealth of young pitching prospects down at Double-A. 

The Cardinals could lose most of their starting rotation this offseason, if they don't end up trading them sooner. Jack Flaherty is going to be a free agent. As is Jordan Montgomery. And Adam Wainwright will be retiring after the season. There's a clear need for the next wave of pitching talent and that could be jump started with a trade with the Dodgers.

Arenado has expressed his desire to remain in St. Louis and, ultimately, he has the final say on whether he's moved with him having no trade protection in his contract.

The third baseman has three years and $102 million left on his contract. If St. Louis opts to trade him now and bring back key assets in a deal, the club could look to fill the void left at the hot corner in free agency where All-Star Matt Chapman is set to be the top infielder on the market this winter. They could also see what they got with rookie Michael Busch, who would certainly be included in a deal with the Dodgers.

Nolan Arenado says he hasn't talked to anybody or team regarding trades: "I don't know where those reports came from ... when Mo comes up to me and wants to have those conversations, we'll have them."

Stressful times for #STLCards - Arenado continues to be a pro @KMOV pic.twitter.com/eoKTWtWHTz

— Tamar Sher (@tamar_sher) July 29, 2023