Angels Exploring Nolan Arenado Trade Interest for 2026 Season

The St. Louis Cardinals’ roster shakeup has put one of baseball’s most decorated third basemen back in the trade spotlight. Now, the Los Angeles Angels are right in the thick of it.

The Cardinals want to move veteran contracts, and the Angels need some stability at third base. Nolan Arenado’s name keeps popping up as a possible fit—though there are questions about the money and his recent performance.

Why Nolan Arenado Is Back on the Trade Market

This offseason, the Cardinals made it clear: they’re reshaping a roster that didn’t live up to expectations. That’s put several veterans, including Arenado, on the table—even with his reputation and what he’s done for St. Louis.

But there’s a catch. The market’s crowded. Players like Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suárez are available, so Arenado isn’t the only premium third baseman anymore. Teams might see him as a backup plan, which doesn’t help the Cardinals’ leverage.

The Financial Puzzle Surrounding Arenado

Arenado has about $42 million left on his contract. That’s a lot for any team to take on.

St. Louis has shown they’ll use cash to make trades work—they sent $20 million with Sonny Gray and $8 million with Willson Contreras. Any Arenado deal probably looks similar, with the Cardinals eating some salary to get it done.

How the Angels Cleared the Runway

The Angels quietly solved a big problem by restructuring Anthony Rendon’s contract. They deferred the last $38 million and made it clear Rendon won’t be around in 2026.

That move opened up both money and a spot at third base. It’s a sign—they’re not totally going young. They want a veteran, or at least they’re open to it.

A Homecoming Angle for Arenado

Arenado grew up in Southern California, and that’s mattered in his decisions before. Of course, he’d have to waive his no-trade clause to join the Angels.

He’ll probably want to know the Angels’ plans and whether they’re actually building something. For the Angels, just having a local guy isn’t enough—the deal has to work on the field, too.

What the Cardinals Might Want in Return

St. Louis has used cash in trades to get MLB-ready pitchers, not just prospects. They landed guys like Richard Fitts and Hunter Dobbins that way.

The Angels could try a similar offer, focusing on young, controllable pitching.

Potential Angels Trade Chips

Los Angeles doesn’t have a ton of top prospects, but a few names fit what the Cardinals like:

None of these guys would headline a blockbuster. But if you pair them with some salary relief, maybe it works for both sides.

Is Arenado Still the Player He Once Was?

Arenado’s first stretch in St. Louis was fantastic. In 2022, he put up 7.9 WAR, won a Silver Slugger, and grabbed another Gold Glove—just classic Arenado.

Things have changed since then.

Recent Performance and Health Concerns

By 2025, Arenado slashed just .237/.289/.377 with 12 homers and an 84 wRC+. A shoulder injury set him back, and his bat hasn’t bounced all the way back.

He’s still an above-average defender at third, but the big offensive numbers aren’t there anymore.

Why the Angels Might Still Say Yes

Even with his recent decline, Arenado could still give the Angels a real boost. For five seasons now, they’ve sat in the bottom 10 in OPS at third base, which sticks out on an offense that’s already all over the place.

Now that Yoan Moncada and Luis Rengifo are free agents, things are even more unsettled. Guys like Christian Moore, Oswald Peraza, and Vaughn Grissom might end up switching positions, so there’s a real opening for a veteran to step in.

If the price feels reasonable—both in prospects and money—maybe Nolan Arenado is worth a shot. He’s not the superstar he once was, but he could finally give the Angels some steady play at third, something they just haven’t had in years.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Angels Interested In Nolan Arenado