Former MLB GM Names Pirates As Trade Fit For NL Central All-Star Nolan Arenado

A former MLB general manager mentioned the Pittsburgh Pirates as a candidate to make a surprising splash this offseason.

The St. Louis Cardinals stepped toward a youth movement by trading Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. Nolan Arenado has surfaced as another likely trade candidate after registering a career-low .666 OPS in 2025.

Steve Phillips presented the Pirates as a potential landing spot for the eight-time All-Star baseman on MLB Network’s “Hot Stove.”

“I could see maybe the Pirates saying, ‘Look, we need to spend some money. We’ll take some of the Arenado money and bring a veteran in to help our young players grow,'” Phillips said on Wednesday. “With an Andrew McCutchen, if they can get him signed again.”

Arenado is no longer the Silver Slugger who tallied at least 37 home runs and 110 RBIs in five straight seasons with the Colorado Rockies from 2015 to 2019. The right-handed veteran slashed a mediocre .237/.289/.377 with 12 home runs in 2025 and turns 35 next April, so the Cardinals may want to dump the remaining two years and $42 million of his contract.

That could allow Pittsburgh to acquire a 10-time Gold Glove winner and borderline Hall of Fame candidate without moving high-end prospects. It could also convince St. Louis to make the uncommon decision to trade a prominent player within the division.

Phillips, who also floated the Los Angeles Angels and Arizona Diamondbacks as possible fits, doesn’t expect an ultra-competitive trade market for Arenado. In fact, the Pirates may have a chance to acquire him on a much cheaper deal if the Cardinals cut him.

“Maybe there’s a couple of outlets, but I think it’s gonna be limited,” Phillips predicted. “And I think, at some point, if there’s not a deal, I suspect the Cardinals release Nolan Arenado and give some opportunities and playing time to the younger players.”

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