The San Diego Padres have been relatively quiet during the 2024-25 offseason, making no significant moves so far. Unlike many other teams, the Padres are working with a limited budget this winter, which has constrained their ability to make big acquisitions. While they have been in discussions with the St. Louis Cardinals about a potential trade, money has emerged as a major roadblock.
The Cardinals have expressed openness to trading their eight-time All-Star third baseman, Nolan Arenado, who is scheduled to earn $74 million over the next three seasons. However, the Padres have hesitated due to their financial situation. According to Derrick Goold of STL Today, a source indicated that the Padres are uncertain if they can afford to take on Arenado’s contract. As a result, the Padres may attempt to negotiate with the Cardinals, asking them to cover part of Arenado’s salary in a potential trade.
The Cardinals are expected to transition from Arenado to second baseman Nolan Gorman, who will likely fill the third base role for St. Louis. After dealing Arenado, the Cardinals are expected to target pitching help, particularly reinforcement for their starting rotation, as they continue to build their roster for the future.
Arenado’s trade prospects are complicated by his contract, which includes a no-trade clause. The Southern California native has already turned down a trade to the Houston Astros and will only agree to a move if the team offers a better opportunity than the Cardinals. This dynamic complicates any potential deal, but Arenado may be willing to approve a trade to the Padres. San Diego came close to defeating the eventual 2024 World Series champions in the National League Division Series, and if they were able to work out a deal that accommodates his contract, Arenado could see them as an attractive destination.
Despite his stellar credentials—Arenado is a 10-time NL Gold Glove winner—trading for him may not be the best move for the Padres. The team already has a star third baseman in Manny Machado, who signed an 11-year, $350 million deal with the Padres in 2023. Machado, a two-time Padres MVP, played 100 games at third base last season and also appeared in 51 games as the designated hitter. If the Padres were to acquire Arenado, there would be a positional logjam, with both players competing for the third base spot. This creates a difficult scenario, as Machado’s long-term contract and established role in the lineup would make it challenging for Arenado to fit into the Padres’ plans without disrupting the team’s overall chemistry.
The Padres also face other challenges this offseason. Outfielder Jurickson Profar and infielder Ha-Seong Kim are both free agents, and the team recently lost catcher Kyle Higashioka to the Texas Rangers. On top of that, starting pitcher Joe Musgrove will miss the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, further depleting the Padres’ roster. As a result, the Padres have clear needs for a corner outfielder, a catcher, and potentially another starting pitcher to bolster their lineup and pitching staff.
In conclusion, while the Padres have shown interest in acquiring Arenado, their financial constraints and existing roster needs make a trade for the third baseman a complex and potentially unnecessary move. Instead, the team will likely focus on addressing more pressing areas, such as improving their outfield, finding a new catcher, and adding pitching depth, especially with Musgrove’s extended absence. With limited resources, the Padres will have to make strategic decisions to ensure they remain competitive in a tough National League.
