Nolan Arenado Trade Rumors: Dodgers 'Long Shot' to Acquire Star from Cardinals | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Amid reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in a trade for St. Louis' Cardinals' star Nolan Arenado, it seems like a deal between the two sides is still considered to be a long shot with the Aug. 1 trade deadline just three days away, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

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"The Cardinals at this point don't seem inclined to trade much beyond their potential free agents, [Jordan] Montgomery, [Jack] Flaherty, those guys," Rosenthal said while appearing on FS1 on Saturday. "Arenado is under contract through 2027 and this is not a team accustomed to being in this position, it's not a team accustomed to selling.

"... If I'm the Cardinals I'm at least listening but I'm not sure they would do this."

Connections between Arenado and the Dodgers were first reported by the Los Angeles Times'Jorge Castillo on Thursday with the two sides engaging in talks over the All-Star third baseman.

Castillo also reported that Arenado would only be willing to waive the no-trade clause in his contract for the Dodgers, but it was later refuted by his agent Joel Wolfe, who wasn't willing to give any more details on the negotiations or trade discussions.

The Cardinals are reportedly looking to add to their pitching staff at the deadline and a trade for Arenado could certainly fetch them the type of young talent that they're looking for.

"A trade of Arenado would make some sense," Rosenthal said. "It would allow [the Cardinals] to get the pitching that they want in a much bigger way than the trade of a potential free agent would. And it would open up third base for one of their younger position players."

St. Louis has been taking a deeper look at some of the Dodgers' younger arms like Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone, Ryan Pepiot, and Emmet Sheehan. Los Angeles would also likely need to include Max Muncy or Chris Taylor in a deal for Arenado, per Castillo.

The biggest question mark surrounding the potential deal has always been the Cardinals' willingness to let go of an elite talent like Arenado because of one down year.

They are currently fourth in the NL Central, 11.5 games back of the first-place Milwaukee Brewers and 10.5 games out of a Wild Card slot coming off a season in which they won 93 games in 2022.

The organization reportedly does not want to enter a rebuilding phase next season and is looking get back in title contention as soon as 2024, according to Castillo. The best way to do that would be to hold on to Arenado, one of the best two-way players in all of baseball.

The 32-year-old has won 10 Gold Glove Awards over his career and is currently hitting .284/.332/.517 with 22 homers and 77 RBI in 100 games. He'd be the franchise's biggest trade chip by a wide margin if he's actually made available.

While St. Louis has always been expected to be sellers this year, it has been awfully quiet thus far. ESPN's Buster Olney reported that the reason is that its price tag for certain players is just too high.