Nolan Arenado Rumors: Insider Feels Trade To Dodgers Has ‘Good Chance’ of Happening

The Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals are in discussions on a potential trade that would send All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado — and maybe a starting pitcher to LA.

When looking at the leadup to the trade deadline as a whole though, it can be the season of smokescreens, with some rumored deals not actually being consummated.

But the Arenado to Los Angeles deal may have some legs behind it, per MLB Network insider Tom Verducci.

Verducci went on to discuss the Cardinals’ need for “swing and miss” pitchers, of which the Dodgers certainly have a lot of them, notably in starter Bobby Miller, a name that has been rumored to be part of the trade talks.

On the Dodgers side of the equation, LA certainly needs quality arms in the rotation beyond just Clayton Kershaw.

Kershaw remains on the injured list with shoulder soreness, and the team’s rotation has been weak this season compared to years past.

Beyond Kershaw’s injury, Julio Urias hasn’t been able to replicate his past success, as his command has been an issue, his ERA has ballooned to 4.98, and he looks far from the pitcher that led the major leagues in ERA last season, putting up a career low mark of 2.16 in 2022.

Those issues open up the need for another reinforcement in the bullpen, and Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery’s names have been floated in the Arenado deal.

When it comes to the third baseman himself, he would provide much more consistency at the plate compared to Max Muncy, as he’s hitting .287/.335/522 this season, good enough for his third straight All Star appearance as a Redbird.

The Dodgers and Cardinals each have pieces that would help the other. LA has pieces that could help St. Louis build for the future, while St. Louis could provide two key players that would help the Dodgers down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.

We’ll see what happens between the two sides soon, but don’t be surprised if a blockbuster comes to fruition.

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