MLB rumors: Possible Dodgers-Cardinals Nolan Arenado trade gets Chris Taylor twist

Will the Los Angeles Dodgers trade for Nolan Arenado? The question begins with whether or not the St. Louis Cardinals will even trade the star third baseman. Arenado is set to make a lucrative amount of money through the 2027 season, so the financial element will be a factor.

“Rival execs say that if the Cardinals are going to move Nolan Arenado, who is owed $64 million, they expect St. Louis would have to either eat some salary or take on a contract a trade partner wants to move,” Buster Olney of ESPN wrote Saturday on X, formerly Twitter. “Chris Taylor is owed $17 million on his deal. If LAD wants him, seems like there is middle ground to be found.”

The Cardinals will have to take on some of Arenado’s salary in all likelihood if a trade were to come to fruition. If a potential suitor were to add a player with a lucrative contract, though, it could catch the Cardinals’ attention. They would not need to pay as much of Arenado’s salary, although they would be taking on another possibly expensive contract.

It should be noted that Taylor has a $12 million club option for 2026, an option that will likely not be picked up by either the Dodgers or another team barring a bounce-back 2025 campaign.

Nolan Arenado, Chris Taylor looking for bounce-back seasons as Dodgers-Cardinals trade rumors swirl

Taylor, a versatile 34-year-old, endured a miserable 2024 season at the plate. He slashed just .202/.298/.300 across 87 games played. He only hit four home runs as well.

Arenado did not have his best season by any means in 2024 either. The 33-year-old hit .272/.325/.394 in 152 games. He added 16 home runs. The eight-time All-Star did not play up to his standards.

Still, Arenado is going to draw interest if made available for trade by the Cardinals. Not only does he feature a high offensive ceiling, but Arenado is among the best defensive third baseman in the entire sport.

The Dodgers could package Taylor with a few prospects with potential in a possible deal. It remains to be seen if LA has serious interest in acquiring Arenado, however.

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Dodgers News: Andrew Friedman Provides Injury Update on Evan Phillips

In a season with an injury-cursed rotation, the Dodgers bullpen saved Los Angeles several times throughout the year. In the postseason, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts strategically utilized new relief pitchers nearly every inning, keeping opponents on their toes.

One of the Dodgers’ most reliable relievers was right-hander Evan Phillips. He logged a 3.62 ERA and 18 saves in 61 regular season games. In the last four consecutive postseasons with Los Angeles, Phillips has not allowed a single run in a total of 15.1 innings.

More News: Former Dodgers Outfielder Won’t Retire From MLB This Offseason After All

But, Phillips did not pitch an inning of the World Series. The Dodgers left Phillips off the World Series roster after he endured a shoulder injury in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.

Fortunately, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman gave a promising update on the health status of the 30-year-old. Although he has not started a throwing program, Phillips is healthy and will not undergo surgery. He will also be ready to pitch by Spring Training.

Besides a right hamstring strain in May, Phillips remained healthy throughout the regular season. The postseason injury forced Phillips to exit Game 6 of the NLCS after one inning.

Unlike Phillips, multiple Dodgers have undergone surgery this offseason. First baseman Freddie Freeman had surgery on his right ankle to address an injury sustained in a series against the San Diego Padres in late September. The Dodgers expect Freeman to be recovered for Spring Training.

Additionally, designated hitter Shohei Ohtani had surgery to fix a torn labrum. Ohtani is also expected to be healthy by Spring Training but will not rush to make his Dodgers debut on the mound.