After nearly a month of speculation, it appeared that the Nolan Arenado trade saga was nearing its conclusion — until it wasn’t. The Houston Astros were in advanced discussions to trade for the eight-time All-Star from the St. Louis Cardinals. However, Arenado exercised his no-trade clause, preventing the move from happening. His decision was based on his desire to take more time and assess how the offseason unfolded before making a final choice.

In response to Arenado’s veto, the Astros quickly shifted their focus, opting instead to sign Christian Walker to a three-year deal. This move not only secured Walker for the team but also ensured that Alex Bregman would be elsewhere in 2025, eliminating the possibility of Arenado joining the Astros.

Following the breakdown of the trade, news about Arenado’s future grew scarce. With Bregman still available in free agency, this lack of updates wasn’t entirely surprising. However, a recent revelation has provided some insight into Arenado’s potential preferences. According to reports by Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive, Arenado seems to have a strong interest in the Boston Red Sox, possibly even considering them his top choice. This comes as a surprise to many, as Boston wasn’t necessarily seen as a frontrunner for Arenado’s services.

What makes this development particularly intriguing is the fact that Arenado appears to prefer the Red Sox over the New York Yankees. This preference may stem from a previous list of teams he was willing to be traded to, which notably included Boston but not New York. However, upon closer inspection, Arenado’s choice of the Red Sox over the Yankees raises some questions. On paper, the Yankees arguably have a more competitive roster, even after losing Juan Soto. They brought in big names like Max Fried, Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt, all of whom could enhance their chances of winning. The Red Sox have made some significant moves, such as adding Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Aroldis Chapman, but it’s unclear whether those additions are enough to close the 13-game gap between the two teams in 2024.

Furthermore, the Yankees seem to offer a more obvious fit for Arenado. If the season started today, the Yankees would be relying on either DJ LeMahieu or Oswaldo Cabrera at third base, whereas the Red Sox already have Rafael Devers at third, Triston Casas at first, and Masataka Yoshida at DH. The Red Sox would likely have to move Casas, a promising young player, to make room for Arenado. Additionally, Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has made it clear that he does not intend to trade Casas, adding complexity to any potential trade discussions.

While Fenway Park might suit Arenado’s playing style better than Yankee Stadium, the overall logic of his preference for Boston remains unclear. At present, it’s uncertain whether either the Yankees or Red Sox are actively pursuing Arenado. Though it wouldn’t require much in terms of players to acquire him, the Cardinals are likely looking to offload the majority of the three years remaining on his contract. Whether either team is willing to take on the 33-year-old’s deal, especially after his subpar season, remains to be seen. The situation could become clearer once Bregman makes his decision on a new team, potentially sparking more movement in the Arenado market.