I’m not saying this as a diehard Cubs fan that wants to see the Cardinals get significantly worse overnight. I’m saying this as a baseball fan that loves the history and tradition and just matching the right guys with the right clubs and uniforms. I’m saying this as a purist that can think outside and above his own personal interests. I’m saying this quite simply:
The world is much better off with Nolan Arenado playing at Fenway.
He’s a bonafide first ballot hall of fame 3rd baseman and objectively the toughest/purest baseball player of his generation. An absolute psychopath and complete nails at 3rd base. Everything anyone could want from a corner infield leader can be found in Nolan Arenado.
Knowing the Cardinals, they’ll likely trade him for at least two future everyday big leaguers that kill the Cubs. Knowing the Cardinals, he’s probably going to fall apart the second he leaves St. Louis as they specialize in knowing when good players are about to tank, hard.
Even so you have to imagine Nolan Arenado would get a huge boost from the Fenway Faithful. It’s a place where you get better or worse, but rarely stay the same. And that’s because it’s a completely different environment in the most knowledgeable/demanding fanbase of the AL East. Personally I think Nolan is perfect for the city but that remains to be realized. I would be surprised if anyone really disagreed with me on that.
I’d also be surprised to learn if there’s Red Sox fans that don’t want him for whatever fucked up reason. Like if there’s a faction of Johnny’s out there that think Devers preemptively prevents Nolan Arenado from joining the roster. Are there people stupid enough to believe the two couldn’t coexist?
Let there be no doubt: Nolan Arenado is the best defensive 3rd baseman since Brooks Robinson. He’s one of the best fastball hitters of his generation and one of the best run producing 3rd basemen in history. It’s Mike Schmidt, then a group of elite players, and then about 45 miles of shit before you get to the Gary Gaetti’s of this world.
Nolan Arenado is in that group of elite players right under Mike Schmidt and personally I would love to see him wear a Red Sox uniform to close out his career. Especially if it means the Cardinals get significantly worse overnight, my baseball purity be damned.