Tigers fans' hopes regarding a Nolan Arenado trade are all but officially dead

With Nolan Arenado on the trade block this offseason, Tigers fans' imaginations ran wild. The Tigers haven't had a true third baseman since August 2022, when Jeimer Candelario was either hurt or benched due to declining performance.

In 2024, seven players got turns at third throughout the year, and the starter for any given game became more unpredictable after Gio Urshela was released in mid-August.

Jace Jung seemed to be the most obvious replacement as Detroit's everyday third baseman, but Scott Harris has said that he's not guaranteed a spot. That turned attention to Arenado, the best defensive third baseman in baseball over the last decade.

However, Arenado is still owed $52 million through 2027 and his play has been declining over the last two seasons. That, and the Tigers' reported involvement in Alex Bregman's market (which would cost the Tigers around $180 million if they get him), made it seem like Arenado wasn't a likely candidate for Detroit.

On Tuesday, MLB.com Cardinals beat writer John Denton basically put to bed any speculation that the Tigers might be interested in Arenado — or, rather, that Arenado would have any interest in the Tigers. He has a no-trade clause in his contract but would be willing to waive it for six teams, none of which are the Tigers.

Nolan Arenado's approved trade list unsurprisingly doesn't include the Tigers

If the Tigers were really interested in Arenado, they could attempt to talk to him directly in order to sell him on Detroit and facilitate a trade, but that's a lot of work for a guy whose slugging numbers have been getting exponentially worse since 2022.

Fans' hopes should be directed toward Bregman, who may be the next big free agent to sign. The Astros are still trying to get him back, and the Red Sox and Yankees are rumored to be in conversation with him, but he's just about the only top-10 free agent that Detroit has been linked to so far.

Bregman is three years younger than Arenado, has remained relatively consistent over the last five seasons, and his addition would signal that the Tigers' heads are truly in the game next season.

Arenado probably will end up getting traded this offseason. The Red Sox might be moving Rafael Devers off third, which would clear a path for Arenado, and the Phillies are reportedly shopping Alec Bohm. It's likely he'll leave St. Louis, but it won't be for Detroit, and the Tigers very well might be better off for it.