The Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason has been nothing short of entertainment, with the front office making bold moves and showing no signs of slowing down.
As the team looks to build on their recent success-coming off their eighth World Series title-nothing seems off-limits.
With their sights set on improving an already elite roster, the Dodgers may not be done yet, and one of their long-standing trade targets could be closer to a deal than ever before.
That target is none other than St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, whose name has been linked to the Dodgers for some time.
The 33-year-old veteran, a perennial Gold Glove winner and efficient hitter, has been at the center of trade rumors for a few key reasons, making this offseason even more intriguing.
Arenado, who grew up just an hour from Dodger Stadium in Newport Beach, has deep ties to Southern California.
This connection, coupled with some cryptic Instagram posts this offseason, has fans wondering if a move to the Dodgers is in the cards.
In mid-December, Arenado posted several photos of himself with family members, paired with the song “Dodger Blue” by Los Angeles-based rapper Kendrick Lamar.
It didn’t take long for fans and analysts alike to take notice, speculating that the posts were a subtle hint about his interest in joining the Dodgers.
“I’m back and I’m ready to go play ball,” Arenado said to media, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
“I’m a ballplayer, and I’m a Cardinal, until I’m told I’m not. You know what I mean?”
In addition, Arenado recently vetoed a potential trade that would have sent him to the Houston Astros, a bitter rival of the Dodgers, signaling his willingness to wait for the right move.
With the Dodgers’ front office looking to make a splash this offseason, Arenado could be the next major signing to elevate an already formidable roster.
Whether or not the move happens remains to be seen, but the whispers are only growing louder.
