Spring training is approaching, and teams are starting to finalize their roster. The Athletics are a team that have not made many moves this offseason. So far, the A’s have traded for Jeff McNeil and agreed to a deal with Mark Leiter Jr., but there was a third move in the works before it was shut down. That was a trade for Nolan Arenado.
Nolan Arenado was recently traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. With his full no-trade clause, the third baseman had to agree to the trade himself. The San Diego Padres were also in the mix for Arenado. However, the Athletics had a deal in place to acquire Arenado before it was vetoed by him.
Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), the Athletics had a deal in place, and the offer seemed better than what the Diamondbacks paid.
Athletics Offer For Nolan Arenado
GettyNolan Arenado vetoed a trade to the Athletics.
The Diamondbacks gave up a pitching prospect with no pro ball appearances, while only paying $11 million of Arenado’s salary. That alone seemed like a low price to pay to acquire a Gold Glove award winner to play the hot corner. The Athletics were willing to give up more.
It is uncertain which player(s) the A’s were going to part ways with. But Rosenthal reports that the Athletics were going to take on more of Arenado’s salary. Money was the biggest factor in Arenado’s trade market, and the Athletics taking on a good chunk of his salary was enough for the St. Louis Cardinals to agree on a deal.
The problem, as mentioned, was that Arenado had to agree to the deal, as well. The 34-year-old had no intentions of playing for the Athletics as he turned the deal down. This late in his career, it makes sense for Arenado to want to play for a contending team. The A’s, in his eyes, were just not that.
The third baseman reportedly preferred the Diamondbacks or Padres.
Who Will Play Third Base For The A’s?
GettyMax Muncy will get his chance to earn the starting job at third base.
The Athletics are doing their best to be contenders, but the market in Sacramento is not great now. It could improve once they move to Las Vegas, but the front office is having a tough time bringing free agents to the team.
For now, the A’s will rely on Max Muncy to man the hot corner.
Muncy made his debut during the 2025 season. In 63 games, the former first-round pick slashed .214/.259/.379 with nine home runs, 23 RBI, and one stolen base. His first-year struggles are not a reason to worry, but the A’s will need him to be much better in the 2026 season.
Brett Harris is also a candidate. Harris had an OPS under .700 in 32 games played, but his batting average was much higher, and he is a very competent fielder. Both Muncy and Harris will get the chance to earn the starting position at third base during spring training.
Athletics Trade For Nolan Arenado Fell Through Due To 1 Factor