Dodgers don't seem interested after Nolan Arenado after trade list revealed

The chances of Nolan Arenado being traded this offseason seem to be increasing by the day, and the 10-time Gold Glover has dropped a few, completely unsubtle hints about where he wants to be traded.

Arenado is a SoCal native who grew up rooting for the Dodgers. After the Cardinals front office revealed their intention to listen to offers for him as they attempt to shed payroll, he dropped an Instagram post with Kendrick Lamar's "dodger blue" attached, and then reposted a video from a fan hoping he'd be a future Dodger.

Arenado has a no-trade clause in his contract, but MLB.com Cardinals beat writer John Denton reported the six clubs he would waive that clause for. The Dodgers, unsurprisingly, are among them, along with the Padres, Angels, Phillies, Mets, and Red Sox.

However, the Dodgers already have a third baseman, and one who's won two World Series championships in LA. Max Muncy is still too good (and is making too much) for the Dodgers to make him a bench player, and it feels unlikely that they'd forsake one of their most successful reclamation projects.

Although Arenado made his interest in the Dodgers clear, there's been no evidence to suggest it might be reciprocated this offseason. At Winter Meetings, Brandon Gomes reiterated that Muncy would be the Dodgers' Opening Day third baseman, and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that industry sources believe LA hasn't shown interest in Arenado (subscription required).

Nolan Arenado is open for a trade to the Dodgers, but LA might not be interested in him

Muncy was hurt for most of the 2024 season, but he still racked up a higher bWAR than Arenado did in a fully healthy year. Muncy's power is still very much present — he hit 15 homers in just 73 games — and Arenado's took a massive nosedive last season. The Dodgers picked Muncy up off the scrap heap after he was released by the Athletics in 2017, and now he's a two-time All-Star and three-time MVP votes recipient.

It's still true that Arenado is the best defensive third baseman in baseball and Muncy's defense has never been great no matter where the Dodgers have tried to put him. However, Muncy's 93 homers and 268 RBI from 2021 through 2023 (which were almost fully healthy seasons for him) also give him the edge for a heavy-hitting team like the Dodgers.

LA has historically shown a lot of interest in Arenado, but with Muncy securely on the roster next year and probably in 2026 (the Dodgers have a club option), it seems like that ship has sailed.