St. Louis Cardinals fans know that their likely future Hall of Fame third baseman is probably on his way out. After Nolan Arenado vetoed a trade to the Houston Astros last year, Los Angeles Angels fans—who already admired him—became even more intrigued. With the Angels now searching for a third baseman, Arenado could make even more sense as a target, especially after his post-season comments.
There were reports that the Angels were among the few teams Arenado might have considered waiving his no-trade clause for last year, but he ultimately didn’t approve a move there. His main focus has been winning a World Series, which made the 2025 Angels a less appealing option at the time. However, his perspective appears to have evolved.
“I understand I can’t nitpick quite as much,” Arenado told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “At the same time, I have a family. I can’t go anywhere just to go anywhere. I can’t do that. I have to make sure I make the right decision for sure, for us. … I don’t think it’s fair for me to go, ‘I’m only going to this championship-caliber team.’ I don’t think I can do that. Who is to say that team wants me? It’s a two-way street. I understand that.”
Arenado’s roots are deeply tied to Southern California—he’s from Newport Beach, attended high school in Lake Forest, and still lives in SoCal during the offseason with his wife, his high school sweetheart. As he enters the later years of his career, returning closer to home could be appealing. If his childhood team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, decide not to pursue him, the Angels could emerge as a legitimate destination.
Though Arenado is coming off the worst season of his career, he remains under contract for three years and $52 million. Angels fans might hesitate at his .666 OPS from last year, but if he’s open to coming home, that could ease concerns.
Financially, a deal would likely require the Cardinals to absorb part of his salary. For instance, St. Louis could take back Jorge Soler’s expiring contract to balance the money. Arenado’s salary decreases from $21 million in 2026 to $16 million in 2027 and $15 million in 2028—right when the Angels will have more payroll flexibility. The Cardinals could also eat a portion of the final years if the Angels offer a strong enough prospect return.
Despite his down year, Arenado still rarely strikes out—his 11% strikeout rate ranked in the 96th percentile among hitters. That’s a skill the Angels desperately need after leading nearly all of baseball in strikeouts.
Arenado already shares chemistry with Mike Trout from their time together in the World Baseball Classic, and both would bring invaluable leadership to a young clubhouse. He’s also expressed admiration for Albert Pujols, one of his favorite players and a potential frontrunner for the Angels’ managerial position.
Of course, if the Angels can land Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami, that should be their first move. But if Murakami ends up with the Dodgers or another team, trading for Arenado could be a smart alternative. Pairing Arenado with Zach Neto would create one of the league’s strongest defensive left sides, and owner Arte Moreno has always loved big-name players who draw crowds—Arenado certainly fits that description.