Andrew Friedman calls Nolan Arenado trade rumors 'BS'
Dodgers president Andrew Friedman has shut down offseason reports that Los Angeles tried to trade Max Muncy for Nolan Arenado, calling the speculation "BS." With Arenado now on the Arizona Diamondbacks and Muncy back in All-Star form, the denial lands as an overdue vote of confidence in the veteran third baseman.
The story matters because trade chatter dominated the Dodgers' news cycle last year while Muncy battled early-season struggles and injuries. Friedman waited until Arenado landed with a division rival and Muncy rebounded before addressing the rumors publicly.
Key Takeaways
- Andrew Friedman dismissed Max Muncy–Nolan Arenado trade reports as "BS," citing Fabian Ardaya's follow-up in The Athletic.
- USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported the Dodgers had not expressed interest while hoping Muncy would recover.
- Muncy told The Athletic he would accept any role if a move improved the team's title chances.
- Arenado was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks; Muncy has since returned to All-Star production.
Why were the Dodgers linked to Nolan Arenado?
Before he was moved to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Nolan Arenado was repeatedly tied to Los Angeles. The Southern California native wanted out of the St. Louis Cardinals to chase a championship, and the fit looked logical on paper.
Max Muncy was failing to meet expectations amid plate struggles and physical setbacks. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported ahead of last season that the Cardinals were still trying to trade Arenado while the Dodgers had yet to express interest, still hoping Muncy would escape his early slump.
Although sources indicated there may not have been formal negotiations, speculation and media reports kept the pairing in headlines for months.
What did Andrew Friedman say about the trade rumors?
Dodgers president Andrew Friedman finally addressed the former trade chatter this week. Speaking about reports surrounding Muncy, he told reporters: "A lot of it — I think all of it — has been BS," according to a follow-up report from The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.
That blunt denial, reported by Forbes, may be easier to deliver now. Muncy has alleviated fan concerns with a strong bounce-back, and Arenado is wearing a rival uniform rather than Dodger blue.
After offseason speculation shadowed the clubhouse, Friedman's comments read as a public endorsement of the third baseman the front office never moved.
How did Max Muncy respond when the rumors swirled?
Muncy did not dodge the conversation. Speaking with The Athletic's Ardaya during the heat of the rumors, he acknowledged the business side of baseball.
"You also understand if there's any chance that they can improve they're probably going to take that chance," Muncy said about potentially being replaced by a player like Arenado. "But at the same time … if there's a chance to improve this team, they can definitely do it. I'm willing to accept any role in that. They know that."
That candor underscored how seriously Los Angeles takes roster upgrades — and how Muncy's career longevity now looks vindicated after the Dodgers stood pat.
What does this mean for the Dodgers heading forward?
The franchise chose patience over a blockbuster swap, and Muncy rewarded that faith with an All-Star season. Arenado, meanwhile, strengthens an Arizona club that already shares the NL West with Los Angeles.
Friedman's "BS" line closes the book on one of last year's loudest what-if scenarios. For Dodgers fans, it confirms the third base job Muncy fought to keep is still his — and that the Nolan Arenado dream sequence never got past the rumor mill.