Early in the 2025 season, the Toronto Blue Jays are discovering one flaw in an otherwise solid lineup.
At nearly every other position, the Blue Jays' offense profiles as league average or above. But so far in 2025, their third basemen have -0.1 fWAR and a WRC+ of 59.
Toronto hoped coming into the season that some combination of Ernie Clement, Will Wagner, and Addison Barger would be enough to lock down the hot corner. It doesn't appear that will be the case, though it's still early enough to hold out hope that someone will click.
What if the trade deadline approaches, though, and still no one has clicked? Well, one baseball writer sees Toronto as a potential fit for a future Hall of Famer.
On Tuesday, ESPN's David Schoenfield named the Blue Jays among several teams who could acquire St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, an eight-time All-Star who the Cardinals were unable to deal this offseason thanks to a variety of obstacles.
"(Arenado is) off to an excellent start -- with more walks than strikeouts while hitting for average -- so that could create some interest, and there are certainly teams that could use an upgrade at third base," Schoenfield wrote.
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"Alec Bohm is struggling with the Phillies, the Cubs demoted Matt Shaw, the Blue Jays aren't getting any production at third, the Yankees have only one home run from their third basemen ... it's a long list. If the Cardinals pay down some of the contract, they could probably find Arenado a new home."
The contract is by far the most complicated aspect of the deal, as Arenado is making $32 million, $27 million, and $15 million over the next three years. The front-loaded aspect of the deal helps an acquiring team like Toronto, but it's still a major budget increase waiting to happen.
If the Blue Jays are still in the hunt, though, and Arenado is willing to waive his no-trade clause to go north of the border, there's certainly a scenario where these two sides make sense as a fit.
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