MLB insider floats Cardinals option that may offer the Cubs' offseason a lifeline

The St. Louis Cardinals are still looking to trade veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado, but they haven't made much progress. Arenado is now willing to split time between first and third base, and St. Louis is also willing to throw in some money to help facilitate a deal. Almost used a throwaway line during their update on the offseason, ESPN's Buster Olney floated a scenario that likely will catch the attention of the Chicago Cubs.

While Olney cited teams' belief that the Cardinals will find a taker for All-Star Brendan Donovan, he suggests that there could be a scenario where Arenado is released. Between his diminishing offensive skills, a small list of teams looking for corner infield help, and the fact that the Cardinals are rebuilding, the MLB insider breathes life into the possibility that Chaim Bloom and Co. cut their losses.

Cardinals may offer a shocking resolution for one of the Cubs' biggest offseason needs.

The Cubs have always been tied to Arenado, dating back to when he was with the Colorado Rockies. Recently, Chicago may have checked in on his trade availability last offseason before being told that a move within the division wasn't on the Cardinals' radar.

Bloom's arrival might change that stance, but the better option for the Cubs would be for Arenado to be released. They wouldn't have to offer up prospects to their division rival, and St. Louis would be on the hook for the remaining two years of his deal, while Chicago would only have to pay him the veteran's minimum.

In other words, it's a similar move to the one the Cubs made for Eric Hosmer before the 2023 season. Of course, the hope is that there would be a different outcome.

At this stage of his career, the 8-time All-Star shouldn't be viewed as someone who would be a definitive upgrade for the Cubs' offense. But he still is an above-average fielder at third base and would fit the Cubs' run-prevention model. If nothing else, paying Arenado would raise the floor of the Cubs' bench, while also providing some veteran insurance for Matt Shaw at third base.

Sure, we would rather be talking about the potential arrival of Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette, but the Cubs could do far worse than Arenado on the league minimum.