The Answer To Would You Trade Alec Bohm For Nolan Arenado is Obviously Yes
The latest rumor surrounding the Phillies and the trade deadline revolved around Nolan Arenado. With the Cardinals having a rare bad season, most of the players on their team have had to deal with trade rumors as we get closer to the August 1st deadline. Will marquee names like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado be dealt? That part is tough to tell. Both still have time one their deals, and there is no immediate pressure for the Cardinals to trade them no matter how bad they are. But the rumor is out there.
The more interesting conversation is, if Arenado, or Goldschmidt, are available, should the Phillies pull the trigger? And the only answer to that question is a resounding yes. Especially when it comes to Nolan Arenado.
These are not just two aging vets. Arenado and Goldschmidt are still easily two of the best players in the league. Goldschmidt won MVP last season and is hitting .284 with 15 HRS this year. Arenado is an 8-time All-Star, with 10 Gold Gloves, and 6 Platinum Gloves. He has a serious case for being called the best defensive 3rd Baseman in MLB History, alongside Brooks Robinson and Mike Schmidt. Oh, and he can still mash the ball. He is currently hitting .283, with 19 HRs and 62 RBIs.
Nolan Arenado's 2nd homer of the night quickly gives the @Cardinals the lead back! pic.twitter.com/EGZtmKOoQs
— MLB (@MLB) July 8, 2023
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Either of them would join the team and instantly become the hitter having the best season on the Phillies. The only Phillies player with a case for having a better season is Nick Castellanos. Otherwise, Harper, Turner, Realmuto, and Schwarber have all underperformed compared to what you would usually expect. The Phillies need another power bat. Preferably from the right side. And both of these guys would give them exactly that.
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Let’s focus on Arenado since he is currently the name most in the MLB Hot Stove talk. Getting him would not be easy. He is the best 3rd Baseman in the league, is only 32, and is under contract until 2027. The trades being mentioned for him revolve around Alec Bohm and at least one of the Phillies’ top pitching prospects. But as much as we like Bohm, and are intrigued by Mick Abel, there is no doubt that is a price worth paying for Arenado.
Nolan Arenado is everything you hope Bohm would be. This will likely be his 9th straight season with at least 30 HRs and 100 RBIs. That counts a pace of 30 and 100 in the Covid-shortened season. Bohm is an impressive hitter, who has come a long way with his glove. But his hot streaks are what Arenado’s normal play looks like. And he does not have the power numbers Arenado does. If it was for a rental, I could see being nervous about it. But you would have Arenado, at a relatively reasonable price, for 4 and a half seasons. 2027 is when Bohm hits free agency anyway.
And pitching prospects are just that, prospects. We quibbled over giving up Sixto Sanchez for JT Realmuto. But because of injuries, he has barely seen the mound the last few seasons. Kyle Drabek was once a top pitching prospect. Mick Abel has incredibly impressive stuff. But he is still struggling to turn that into great results on the field. More often than not, giving up prospects for proven MLB stars works out. That goes double when it is not just for a rental, for but a guy who will be on the team for 4 more seasons.
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Again, the Cardinals may actually not even be interested in trading Nolan Arenado. They shouldn’t be. It’s highly unlikely a franchise like theirs will be bad for too long, and he is still in his prime and under contract for 4 years. It makes no sense to trade him. But there is smoke there. Arenado talked about being worried about being dealt at The All-Star game. The Cardinals GM confirmed recently they will be sellers at the deadline. They might just be going into a rebuild. And if Arenado, or Goldschmidt, are pieces that go on the market, the Phillies need to be at the front of the line to try and get one of these superstars. No matter the cost.