Report: Tigers Shut Down By An All-Star Third Baseman For 2nd Time This Offseason
After making a strong push for free agent Alex Bregman and offering him a more lucrative six-year, $171.5 million contract than the Boston Red Sox, they watched him choose Boston’s shorter deal with opt-outs instead.
With Bregman out of reach, the Tigers turned to the trade market and inquired about St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.
According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, Arenado refused to even consider a move to Detroit, ruling them out along with the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels because he didn’t see them as true contenders.
Here he is, non-traded Nolan Arenado, jogging out to his first official workout with the 2025 St. Louis Cardinals. pic.twitter.com/kiWymJIETD
— Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) February 16, 2025
Arenado’s stance is particularly frustrating given the Tigers' recent success and his own team’s struggles.
Detroit made a surprise playoff run in 2024, coming within a game of the ALCS, while the Cardinals have missed the postseason in back-to-back years. Yet Arenado still dismissed the Tigers outright, even as he softened his stance on Houston, a team he previously rejected in trade talks.
Woo reported that "no substantial discussions took place" because Detroit wasn’t on his radar, making it clear that despite their progress, the Tigers still have work to do in convincing top-tier players they’re legitimate championship threats.
"Do I wish the direction was all in? Of course. But is this what's best for the Cardinals? Probably."
— Corey Miller (@corey_miller5) February 16, 2025
Nolan Arenado reported to Jupiter today, after an offseason of the #STLCards searching for a trade partner for him.
Here are some of Nolan's thoughts on the situation: pic.twitter.com/IUhix3qf6V
With both Bregman and Arenado out of the picture, the Tigers are left scrambling to fill a major hole at third base.
Instead of landing an All-Star veteran, they will rely on a combination of top prospect Jace Jung and Matt Vierling at the position.
The front office’s aggressive approach this winter shows they’re serious about building a winner, but being turned down twice—once by a player who declined more money and once by a star who doesn’t believe in their future—is a tough reality for a team trying to take the next step.
Photo Credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
