Whereas a report earlier in the present day revealed that the Cardinals and Astros have resumed discussions relating to veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado, a report from Chandler Rome and Katie Woo of The Athletic this night has solid doubt on the probability of a deal coming collectively. In keeping with Rome and Woo, though the perimeters did re-engage about Arenado within the aftermath of Alex Bregman signing with the Pink Sox, these renewed discussions had been “transient” and that there was no traction gained on a deal between the perimeters. Rome and Woo add that Arenado’s stance on waiving his no-trade clause to hitch the Astros has not modified so far.
The report meshes with feedback from president of baseball operations John Mozeliak earlier in the present day, wherein he steered to reporters that he didn’t really feel something was “imminent” relating to Arenado. Rome and Woo go on to relay that sources described the potential for a deal coming collectively between the 2 groups as a “lengthy shot,” including {that a} deal the perimeters mentioned involving Arenado was thought of a “non-starter.” On condition that description of talks between the 2 sides, it’s not completely clear if Arenado has been approached by St. Louis brass about the potential for approving a commerce to Houston because the Astros tried to reignite talks or if discussions between the perimeters didn’t advance far sufficient for Mozeliak to even broach the topic along with his veteran star.
Even when Arenado first blocked a commerce to Houston again in December, reporting was fast to emphasise that Arenado’s reluctance to approve the commerce was not essentially a ultimate choice and that he hoped to survey his personal market in addition to see how the Astros deliberate to enhance the membership after buying and selling star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs simply earlier than Arenado vetoed a potential transfer to Houston. Now that Bregman has landed in Boston, the Pink Sox be part of the Padres and Dodgers as unlikely touchdown spots for the veteran because of their full infield mixes. The Yankees have a transparent gap at third base Arenado might step into pretty seamlessly, however talks between the Bronx and St. Louis have failed to achieve traction because of New York’s unwillingness to spend a lot past their present payroll projection.
That leaves the Astros as the ultimate crew reportedly on Arenado’s preliminary listing of authorised suitors as issues stand. It’s attainable that the dearth of clear different choices, in tandem with the Astros’ addition of Christian Walker to their infield combine, can be sufficient to persuade Arenado to approve a commerce to Houston. On the similar time, it’s completely attainable that Arenado would like to play the primary half of the season out in St. Louis at this level earlier than each he and Mozeliak reassess the state of affairs over the summer time, when St. Louis’s place in an unsettled NL Central division will probably be extra clear and Arenado can have a extra concrete concept of which golf equipment are contenders for the approaching postseason.
Rome and Woo go on to notice that the Astros’ newest push to swing a deal for Arenado highlights the questions surrounding the Astros’ lineup at this level. Longtime second baseman Jose Altuve seems to be transferring in the direction of enjoying left discipline at the very least on a part-time foundation, although a commerce for Arenado can be anticipated to make the veteran a full-time presence in left whereas Isaac Paredes slides from third base to second to accommodate Arenado. Ought to Altuve find yourself transferring to left discipline for almost all of his reps this 12 months, that leaves the membership pretty skinny across the infield with solely Mauricio Dubon and non-roster invitees like Brendan Rodgers and Luis Guillorme obtainable to play second base on days Altuve is in left and/or again up the remainder of the membership’s infield combine.
Even when Altuve had been to stay at second base near full time, nonetheless, it may be argued the membership remains to be a bat brief. Jake Meyers seems poised to be the membership’s common middle fielder with Ben Gamel and Chas McCormick dealing with the outfield corners. Gamel and McCormick each characteristic important platoon splits, nonetheless, and including at the very least one part-time outfield bat to the combination appears prudent whether or not that’s the addition of Altuve to the outfield combine or an exterior addition ought to the veteran stay on the infield filth.
Free agent choices are comparatively scarce at this level within the calendar, with Jose Iglesias and Whit Merrifield the most effective infield items nonetheless obtainable whereas Alex Verdugo, Mark Canha, and David Peralta are amongst a handful of outfield choices nonetheless in the marketplace. It’s additionally attainable the Astros might search for different alternate options on the commerce market, although with rosters largely set for the approaching season it’s unclear what gamers might nonetheless be obtainable that might signify a considerable enchancment for the membership relative to their present state of affairs.
