MLB Fans Theorize Nolan Arenado Eyes Trade to Dodgers Based on Social Media Hints

Will the Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado this offseason?
Arenado batted .272/.325/.394 with 16 homers in 152 games with the Cardinals in 2024.
Arenado batted .272/.325/.394 with 16 homers in 152 games with the Cardinals in 2024. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

There is a chance star third baseman Nolan Arenado has played his final game in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform.

The Athletic's Katie Woo reported Tuesday that St. Louis is exploring Arenado's market this offseason, and the odds of the Cardinals trading him away are higher than him trotting out as their Opening Day third baseman in March.

The 33-year-old Arenado has three years remaining on his contract and is owed $32 million next season, $27 million in 2026 and $15 million in '27. He also has a no-trade clause on his deal and reportedly won't waive it unless he's traded to a contender.

Based on Arenado's recent social media activity, many MLB fans believe the eight-time All-Star does have a trade destination in mind—the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Arenado uploaded a flurry of offseason photos to Instagram on Sunday, a post that was paired with the song "Dodger Blue" by Kendrick Lamar.

Additionally, Arenado recently reshared a post from a fan who called him his "hero" and also included "Future Dodger?" in the caption.

What does it all mean? It could be nothing. But it also could be Arenado sending a subtle message to the Cardinals' front office that is already looking to trade him this winter.

Arenado is coming off a down year for his standards—a .272/.325/.394 slash line with 16 homers and 71 RBIS—but the veteran still should demand a high trade return in the coming months.


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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.