Spring training has just started, and it’s already off to a bad start for the Los Angeles Angels.
It was announced on Wednesday that Anthony Rendon will miss considerable time in 2025 due to hip surgery.
To put it simply, Rendon has missed more games than he’s played in as a member of the Angels, and he’s not getting any younger.
While the team reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with Yoán Moncada, they could still splash big before the season starts and acquire Nolan Arenado.
Here is what a potential trade could look like:
- Los Angeles Angels acquire: 3B Nolan Arenado**
- St. Louis Cardinals acquire: LHP Sam Aldegheri (Angels No. 8 prospect in 2024), RHP Camden Minacci (Angels No. 16 prospect in 2024)
**Cardinals pay 50% of Arenado’s salary
A trade like this may be the only way the Cardinals get some of Arenado’s salary off their books. Arenado is set to receive $52 million over the final three years of his deal, meaning the Cardinals would pay $26 million of that total.
They would also receive two pitching prospects with Sam Aldegheri being serviceable for the opening day roster. The Cardinals could also elect to keep him in the bullpen and slowly integrate him into the rotation. Camden Minacci spent 2024 split between High-A Tri-City Dust Devils and Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas. He appeared in 45 games between the two levels and recorded a 3.31 ERA.
As for the Angels, they would receive Arenado and have some much-needed insurance at third base. Moancada can certainly play there, but he can’t play at Arenado’s level by any means. If by some chance both are healthy at the same time, the two can rotate between third base and designated hitter to ensure both are in the lineup.
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