Dodgers Rumors: LA Reportedly Engaged in Trade Talks for Nolan Arenado and Top SP
We have just a few days left until the MLB trade deadline comes next Tuesday, and the Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t been sitting idly by and watching the calendar flip to August 1.
The team acquired utility man Kiké Hernandez and shortstop Amed Rosario this week, and are reportedly in talks with the St. Louis Cardinals concerning what would be the biggest trade of the season if a deal were to happen between the two.
Not only that, but there may be quite a package going back to St. Louis in return.
The Cardinals would want young pitching in a deal; they have eyed Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone, Ryan Pepiot, and Emmet Sheehan in talks, according to people with knowledge of the situation. A trade would also likely include the Dodgers sending Max Muncy or Chris Taylor, if not both, to St. Louis.
per Jorge Castillo
Just to confirm, no trade has happened as of this writing.
But if a deal did happen between now and Tuesday afternoon's deadline, it could go a long way toward providing a solution to two of LA's bigger problems.
The Dodgers' starting rotation has been hampered by injuries and inconsistency, and getting either Flaherty or Montgomery would give Los Angeles a reliable starter toward the top of their rotation.
As far as Arenado's concerned, he's had a great season for a struggling Cardinals team. He made his third consecutive All-Star Game in 2023, slashing .287/.335/.521 with 22 home runs and 77 RBI.
Max Muncy has struggled at times this season, with the Dodgers third baseman hitting just .197/.329/.478 on the year. He does have 25 HRs and 67 RBI, and he's performed better over the last week with a .296/.394/.815 slash line, but he has been a hole in LA's lineup on occasion.
There's a saying that it takes a lot to get a lot -- and that would certainly apply to this trade -- but if the Dodgers only deal for instance Pepiot, Stone, and maybe one of Muncy or Taylor, it could wind up not being an overpay.
Arenado is under contract through 2027, making his long term investment worth a blockbuster, and while Flaherty is signed through 2024 and Montgomery set to hit free agency after this season, the Dodgers would have a solid chance to re-sign both.
LA has to take a measured approach here, and they can't afford to sell a huge portion of the organization's nucleus, but if a trade happens and the Dodgers take a cautious approach with it, that would pay dividends for the team both this year and maybe beyond.
Photo Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
Now this is good trade talk.Lets work Andrew and make it happen!
Just wondering if Nolan really wanted to come back here. Only asking because he had a chance at the end of last season to opt out of his contract. I think the Dodgers would have jumped at the chance to sign him if he done that. Could have really used him at third.