Arenado to Rescue: Max Muncy Believe All-Star Third Baseman Can Help Dodgers Return to Prominence

While the Los Angeles Dodgers have already signed Blake Snell to a five-year contract, they continue to forge ahead with free agency and the offseason amid more opportunities to bolster their roster.

Part of that is the Juan Soto sweepstakes and the more likely scenario of re-signing Teoscar Hernández. Beyond that is the trade market, which some have hinted the St. Louis Cardinals are looking to offload the contract of Nolan Arenado.

With Max Muncy already planted at third base, an acquisition of Arenado would provide the Dodgers with another big-time player but also require change at the hot corner.

During an appearance on “Foul Territory,” Muncy explained his openness to doing whatever is best to help the team if the Dodgers traded for Arenado.

“As long as I get to stay around, I don’t care who they bring in. I think Andrew and Brandon know my stance on that extremely well. I’ve never been one that said, ‘No, I’m not going to play this position, I’m not going to play that position, I’m not going to bat in this spot in the order.’ I don’t care.

“As long as you put me out there, I’ll play left field, I’ll play right field, I’ll play third, I’ll play first. I’ll play wherever they want to put me, as long as it means I’m out there on that field wearing Dodger blue, playing in that stadium, it doesn’t matter to me.

“When you’re talking about the guy you’re talking about, you’re talking about arguably the best defensive third baseman of all-time at this point, if you look at his numbers. I can see why it would be appealing. So it’s one of those things where to me, it doesn’t matter as long as I get to stay around, I get to be on that team and I get to help out in some way, shape or form. I don’t care where it’s at, what spot in the order, it doesn’t matter. Even if it’s becoming more of a role player. I don’t really care. I just want to be there and help the team win.”

Muncy has been with the Dodgers since 2018, playing in every postseason except for 2021, due to injury. Muncy has played first base, second base and third base for the Dodgers.

If he were to play the outfield, that would be the Dodgers putting a load of faith in his athleticism, something they haven’t ventured in doing during Muncy’s tenure with the team.

Should Dodgers trade for Nolan Arenado with Max Muncy already at third?

Muncy’s current status with the Dodgers is a consistent power presence with the ability to walk at a high rate. He’s always been susceptible to striking out, but as he was at his peak in a few years ago, Muncy’s offensive profile opens the door for that outcome.

To Arenado, the Dodgers don’t need to bring him in, as he has three years and $74 million remaining on his contract.

Since the 2021 season, Arenado has averaged a 117 wRC+ with 106 home runs, 372 RBI and 295 runs scored. He was terrific in 2022, finishing third in National League MVP voting while winning a Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger.

But if the Dodgers fail to land one of the big-name outfielders, Arenado would be a decent pivot.