The Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals have reportedly "had recent communication" regarding star third baseman Nolan Arenado, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Per that report, "Of note, Cardinals' executive Chaim Bloom has close knowledge of Boston's prospects" and a potential trade between the teams "could have implications" for Alex Bregman's market in free agency.

Bloom, 41, served as Boston's chief baseball officer between Oct. 2019 and Sept. 2023, hence his familiarity with the Red Sox farm system. He then was an advisor for the Cardinals last season and will be promoted to president of baseball operations following the 2025 campaign.

As for Arenado, the 33-year-old had a bit of a down season by his own lofty standards in 2024, hitting .272 with 16 homers, 71 RBI, 70 runs and a .719 OPS across 152 games. The eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner has registered 30 or more homers in seven seasons and 40 or more dingers three times, but has now posted 26 homers in 2023 and 16 homers last year.

He's also seen his OPS decline in each of the past two seasons.

With the Cardinals steering a different course after failing to reach the postseason in the past two years—veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt already departed this winter, signing with the New York Yankees—an Arenado trade has felt likely.

Arenado wants to play for a contender, and the Cardinals want to cut payroll and open pathways for younger players as they rebuild. A divorce seems to be the best option for both sides, though it's hardly guaranteed.

"He knows that we're trying, and he knows that he's going to have to try," current president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters in January when asked about the potential for a strained relationship between Arenado and the organization if a trade doesn't happen. "So that part doesn't scare me at all."

As for the Red Sox, the team has been busy this offseason, most notably adding starting pitcher Garrett Crochet in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. The focus, to this point, has clearly been rebuilding the pitching staff. But adding another right-handed bat and solid defensive infielder like Arenado would make sense.

It also would mean that a potential Bregman suitor was off the market, further limiting his potential options as a free agent.