Phillies are set to land blockbuster deal for Cardinals All-Star Infielder to bolster squad depth

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly exploring the possibility of trading for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman. Nightengale notes that Joel Wolfe,  the infielder’s  agent, has discussed a potential trade with the Phillies. However, his no-trade clause adds complexity to the deal. If he does move, Nightengale mentions that it would likely be to a playoff contender, and the Phillies could be a team he would consider waiving his no-trade clause for. Given the Phillies’ focus on winning now, they align with what Arenado is seeking. A trade to Philadelphia would likely trigger significant changes to the Phillies’ roster.

The Phillies are involved in trade discussions for Nolan Arenado partly because they have been exploring trades involving Alec Bohm. In talks with the Chicago White Sox about Garrett Crochet, a trade offer including Bohm and Justin Crawford was reportedly rejected, according to Nightengale. Additionally, the Seattle Mariners have shown interest in Bohm, as reported by the Seattle Times. While it’s uncertain whether the Phillies will ultimately trade Bohm, their interest in Arenado suggests that a deal involving him could happen this offseason. Bohm, who will be a free agent after the 2026 season, is an appealing trade asset for other teams, especially after making his first All-Star appearance last season.

 

Nolan Arenado opting in to remainder of five-year contract with Cardinals

Phillies Reportedly Interested In Trading For Veteran Third Baseman

In 152 games last season, Nolan Arenado posted a .272/.325/.394 slash line, with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs. He recorded a 102 wRC+ and a .314 wOBA. Arenado also had a 14.5% strikeout rate and a 6.9% walk rate in 2024. However, he has seen a noticeable decline in key offensive metrics in recent years. In 2021, his first season with the Cardinals, he hit 34 home runs and drove in 105 RBIs. In 2022, he followed that up with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. In 2023, he recorded 26 home runs and 93 RBIs. At the same time, his wRC+ dropped from 149 in 2022 to 106 in 2023. Additionally, according to Baseball Savant, Arenado ranked in the 39th percentile for chase rate last season, which is concerning for a Phillies lineup that needs to improve its plate discipline this offseason.

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