Talks between the Detroit Tigers and free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman appear to have stalled, but the Tigers remain in the mix for a potential blockbuster trade involving top-tier third baseman Nolan Arenado.
The St. Louis Cardinals, in the midst of a rebuild, placed Arenado—a 10-time Gold Glove winner and eight-time All-Star—on the trade block. While Arenado has been most strongly linked to the Boston Red Sox, he invoked his no-trade clause to block a previous deal with the Houston Astros, leaving his future undecided.
Boston remains the frontrunner to acquire Arenado, but with no agreement reached so far, other teams, including the Tigers and the Seattle Mariners, have emerged as possible destinations. According to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, these alternatives could gain traction if negotiations between the Red Sox and Cardinals fall through.
Arenado would represent a significant upgrade at third base for any suitor, and his availability has drawn considerable attention across the league as teams evaluate how to make a competitive offer.
According to Morosi’s report, Detroit appears to be among the potential trade destinations Nolan Arenado would consider waiving his no-trade clause for. The fit between Arenado and the Tigers is clear, as Detroit continues to seek an everyday third baseman and is positioning itself as a team ready to contend. Adding a player of Arenado’s caliber would undoubtedly strengthen their lineup and accelerate their push for contention.
However, acquiring Arenado poses challenges. At 34 years old, his offensive production has shown signs of decline, and he remains under contract for three more seasons with $74 million owed. Given these factors, it’s hard to envision the Tigers sacrificing pieces of their young core for a high-risk acquisition. This situation could also serve as leverage against Alex Bregman’s camp, pressuring agent Scott Boras to adjust his demands as Detroit and other teams weigh their options.
The Red Sox are reportedly taking a similar approach, using negotiations as a game of “chicken” to test Bregman’s market while Arenado remains an alternative. Meanwhile, other teams linked to Bregman, such as the Tigers, don’t appear to be making aggressive offers, keeping the third-base market in flux.
It’s worth noting that Arenado is just two years removed from a stellar 2022 campaign where he posted a career-high 7.74 WAR. While he may not be in peak form, he would still be a valuable addition for Detroit if the Cardinals are willing to retain salary and accept a fair trade package. Staying engaged in talks for Arenado allows the Tigers to keep their options open while Bregman remains unsigned, ensuring they explore all avenues to address their needs at third base.
