The pursuit by the Kansas City Royals into a middle-of-the-order bat this winter has been no secret. Much of that discussion has centered around the outfield and third base. More recently, following the team’s addition of Cavan Biggio and Braden Shewmake, any rumored addition would likely come in the shape of an outfielder. Around the winter meetings, there was talk about a deal with the New York Mets that was rumored to involve Brett Baty. Further reports came to light on Thursday outlining yet another avenue that could’ve been of interest to the Royals.

Jeff Jones covers the Cardinals for the Belleville News-Democrat and reported Thursday that the Royals were an interested party earlier this winter in third baseman Nolan Arenado. Arenado carried a full no-trade clause and already vetoed a trade that would’ve sent him to Houston earlier this offseason. According to Jones, the Cardinals chose not to pursue the Royals’ interest in Arenado out of the belief that he wouldn’t accept the destination. While the report is hardly firm, it wouldn’t come as any surprise had the Royals been interested in Arenado to help shore up the team’s lineup entering the 2025 season.

Arenado, a 12-year MLB veteran, has spent the entirety of his career with Colorado and St. Louis. He’s finished every season with a wRC+ over 100 except for the shortened 2020 season. 2024 saw Arenado slash .272/.325/.394 for the Cardinals. Although still productive, Arenado’s .123 ISO was a career-worst. Still, Arenado continues to play at elite levels defensively at the hot corner and would provide a clear offensive upgrade over incumbent third baseman, Maikel Garcia.

Conflicting reports surfaced on Thursday regarding Arenado. On one hand, MLB Trade Rumors reported that the third baseman was “reportedly less likely to be traded.” Earlier in the day, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that Arenado was reportedly “more open-minded” about waiving his no-trade clause over the last 24 hours. Should that be the case, would it mean much for the cash-strapped Royals? It doesn’t seem likely. The main motivation for St. Louis to entertain a trade of Arenado is salary. He’s owed $32 million in 2025. $5 million of that will be paid by Arenado’s former employer, the Colorado Rockies. Still, adding $27 million to this season’s payroll would push the Royals up to $142 million, according to Spotrac.

That mark would be the most since 2017’s franchise record payroll of $143 million. Would the Royals be willing to raise their payroll to that degree? It doesn’t seem likely. Considering Arenado’s age and career trajectory makes it even less likely. Still, if Arenado is more willing to waive his no-trade clause in recent days and the Royals held interest earlier this offseason, it stands to reason they could still be in on the veteran third baseman.