How Nolan Arenado Reflected On Potential Red Sox Offseason Trade

BOSTON — If the Red Sox hadn’t signed Alex Bregman this offseason, it’s reasonable to believe a trade for Nolan Arenado could’ve been around the corner.

The Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals had rumors back and forth all offseason of a potential deal for the All-Star third baseman. Eventually, Bregman signed a three-year deal with Boston in February and Arenado stayed put.

Both players take the field at third base Friday in Boston’s home opener, putting plenty of attention back on the hot corner. Arenado took time before first pitch to reflect on what could’ve been with the Red Sox.

“Obviously, there was a lot of rumors,” Arenado told reporters at Fenway Park. “I know parts of it. I don’t know the whole thing. I know there was a chance. There was conversations. At the end of the day, I also knew I would be back here in St. Louis. I’m not surprised with where I’m at. I’m excited to be here. I like playing ball here.”

“They were one of the teams that were on my list,” Arenado confirmed. “I really don’t feel the need to talk about it much more than that because I’m not coming here.”

Two appeals likely marked the greatest attractions for Arenado had he come to Boston. The first is his offensive advantage as a right-handed hitter with a career track record of success at Fenway Park. In 13 games in Boston, Arenado hit .333 with six home runs and 15 runs batted in.

“I love to pull the ball,” Arenado said with a chuckle. “I like that wall a lot. As a right-handed hitter, obviously it’s a great place to hit. Of course that excites me. When I’m right, I feel good at any ballpark.”

The other attraction would have been sharing the left side of the infield with former Colorado Rockies teammate and current Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story. The Boston veteran discussed his interest in a hypothetical deal this offseason with NESN.com’s Greg Dudek and again with reporters during “Fenway Fest” in January.

“The rumors that came out, obviously I think they got him excited,” Arenado said. “He’s one of my best friends in the game. Taking the left side with him again would have been pretty cool, but we had our run. It’s all good.”

“It was definitely going to be a win-win,” Story told NESN.com Friday. “It was never picking one or the other. We certainly weren’t playing that game. It’s a win-win. Pumped we got (Bregman).”

Arenado and Story share a tight baseball friendship. Story knows the kind of player Arenado is and vice versa, and the Cardinals infielder hoped for a healthy season for the Red Sox shortstop he sees as an all-around player.

“He’s one of my better friends in the game,” Story added. “We’ll find a way connect.”

“He covers so much ground,” Arenado explained. “We both do. A lot of communication because we have to make sure we don’t overlap each other. … He’s a stud out there. … Once he gets going, he’s hard to stop. Hopefully it doesn’t happen this series.”