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The trade speculation has quieted in recent weeks. After the eight-time All-Star used his no-trade clause to quash a deal that would have sent him to Houston, the Cardinals have been unable to find a suitable match. St. Louis president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said at last months Winter Warm-Up event that the Arenado saga remained the front Jordan Hicks Jersey offices . However, both Mozeliak and chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. stre sed that dealing the third baseman was not an absolute nece sity to get the teams payroll to levels that ownership finds tolerable. Its now an open question whether the Cards will be able to line anything up. In an last week, nearly two-thirds of respondents felt Arenado would begin the season in St. Louis. That wont stop Mozeliak and the front office from continuing to explore po sibilities. Jon Morosi of the MLB Network that the Cards have had recent communication with the Red Sox regarding Arenado. That doesnt nece sarily mean talks have gained any kind of traction. wrote in early January that efforts to move Arenado had stalled. Woo suggested at the time that Boston might up end being the only plausible suitor for an offseason trade. Those discu sions have perhaps been held up by lengthy free agent stay. Boston is one of a few teams known to be involved on Bregman, though theyre reportedly reluctant to go beyond four guaranteed years. Bregman has seemingly weighed multiple six-year offers, so the Sox appear an unlikely landing spot. Arenado would be a more challenging roster fit. The Soxs pursuit of Bregman was likely conditioned on the po sibility of moving him to second base. Arenado has expre sed openne s to a position change to facilitate the right trade, but his third base defense is his primary selling point. Its unlikely the Red Sox would consider bumping him to the keystone. Theyd presumably instead move off third base. Bostons longtime third baseman doesnt appear enthused about a po sible position change. A move would also probably require the Red Sox to bench or trade . The Sox have not moved first baseman for starting pitching, as many speculated they might. Devers would be a superior designated hitter to Yoshida, though Boston may not be keen on relegating him to the bench when hes under contract for another three seasons. Yoshida is owed $18MM annually on a deal that is well above market value. Theyd need to eat the bulk of the contract to deal him for what would be a modest return. Discu sions between the Sox and Cardinals could theoretically involve Yoshida. Chaim Bloom, who will take over as president of baseball operations in St. Louis at the end of the season, was the top executive when the Red Sox signed Yoshida. At one point, Bloom believed strongly that his bat would translate against MLB pitching. Yoshida has been a good, not great, major league hitter. Even if Bloom still feels theres untapped upside, the Cardinals are unlikely to eat a big portion of the contract. Their efforts to trade Arenado have been largely motivated by finances, recent comments from Mozeliak and DeWitt notwithstanding. St. Louis owes Arenado $64MM over the next three seasons: $27MM this year, $22MM in 2026, and $15MM in 27. The Rockies are paying an additional $5MM annually for the next two years. $6MM of the Cards obligations in 2025 and 26 are deferred. Reports indicated the Astros were going to take all but $5MM or $15MM off the Cardinals hands had he approved the trade to Houston. Joe Morgan Jersey