Dodgers Rumors: Max Muncy struggles have reignited Nolan Arenado trade buzz

Any time a high-profile MLB player with multiple Gold Gloves and All-Star appearances becomes available on the trade or free agent market, it's safe to assume that the Los Angeles Dodgers will be in the mix for him. St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is no different.

The Cardinals made it known during the offseason that they were looking to move on from Arenado, and the Dodgers immediately emerged as a possible trade destination. However, the buzz died down a bit after Arenado vetoed a trade to the Houston Astros and it became clear that he would be remaining with the Cardinals for the time being.

MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently told Dodgers Nation's Doug McKain that he still expects Arenado to be traded at some point this season, noting that the Newport Beach native would be giddy at the opportunity to play for a team in Southern California not named the Angels.

“The Cardinals still want to move him,” Nightengale said. “I do think that Arenado will get moved at some point. If something ever happened to (Max) Muncy or something like that, Arenado would do cartwheels to get to L.A., his hometown. He could have gone to Houston, turned that down. Could have gone to the Angels, turned that down, too. But he would jump up and down to have a chance to go to the Dodgers. But the Dodgers don’t need him with Muncy, and he still has some good money left (on his contract).”

However, as third baseman Max Muncy continues to struggle – like, really struggle – those rumors are starting to heat up again.

Dodgers Rumors: Max Muncy struggles have reignited Nolan Arenado trade buzz

There has been no indication that the Dodgers intend to move on from Muncy, who signed a two-year extension with the club ahead of last season. Still, his early-season struggles have been undeniable. Offensively, he is slashing just .167/.283/.231 through 76 at-bats. Defensively, he has already committed three errors this season and is worth -1 outs above average.

If Muncy can't turn things around in a timely manner, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Dodgers – who have made it clear that they are pursuing a second consecutive World Series championship – could decide to make a change at third base.

If the Dodgers were to pursue more depth at the hot corner, Nightengale seems convinced that Arenado would be interested. Again, there haven't been any reports up to this point that the Dodgers are even looking, but it's a situation that bears watching as the season progresses.

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