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MLB rumors: Los Angeles Dodgers “enamored” with St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado?

While there is plenty of talk about the Dodgers saving their resources at the MLB trade deadline in order to make a hard charge at Shohei Ohtani (who is reportedly unlikely to be moved at the trade deadline) in the offseason, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com writes that the Dodgers could be looking to make a big splash at third base by acquiring Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals.

“The Dodgers have long been enamored of Arenado, 32, and they see third base as a need they’ll have to address in the offseason given their present construction,” Gonzalez said, pointing out that Arenado is still owed $94 million over the next three years. That price tag, however, shouldn’t be a deterrent to the Dodgers, who spent wisely this offseason to stay below the luxury tax.

Arenado is originally from Southern California and always has a contingent of his family at the games when he travels to Chavez Ravine, so the geography would make sense, as would the Dodgers being in the hunt for that World Series ring that has eluded Arenado during his days with the Colorado Rockies and Cardinals. If there was a team that Arenado would waive his no-trade clause for, it would seemingly be the Dodgers.

While the Cardinals are expected to keep Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt as part of their core for the 2024 season, it seems that the Dodgers could have the trade package in place (including pitching) that would entice the Cardinals to at least listen to an offer that could move a generational third baseman back into the NL West.