When a player of Nolan Arenado’s caliber is available on the trade market, it would behoove any smart team to make a call.

So, yes, it’s likely that the Yankees, Mets and Phillies have at least engaged with Colorado on what an Arenado deal could and would look like. But it also doesn’t seem like those hypothetical calls are going to land baseball’s best third baseman in New York or Philadelphia.

According to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, the St. Louis Cardinals have taken a step forward in the Arenado chase.

The Cardinals have emerged in recent days as a viable suitor in the Nolan Arenado trade discussions, multiple sources said Sunday.

One source said the Rockies and Cardinals have engaged in “preliminary” trade negotiations regarding Arenado, the five-time All-Star third baseman and seven-time National League Gold Glove Award winner.

St. Louis intends to add one star-level position player before Spring Training begins next month, and Arenado is an appealing option if the Cardinals don’t re-sign free-agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna. The Rangers are competing in a similar sector of the market as the Cardinals, having shown interest in trading for Arenado or signing Ozuna or Nicholas Castellanos in free agency.

At this point, it appears both the Cardinals and Rangers are more serious about Arenado than the Braves, who checked in with the Rockies about him at the Winter Meetings.

Arenado isn’t just good; we’re talking about a player on the path to the Hall of Fame. Since arriving to the majors in 2013, Arenado has averaged 36 home runs per season, owns an .897 OPS and has established himself as one of the best defensive third basemen ever. It’s not outlandish to start looking at Arenado as this generation’s Mike Schmidt.

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The 28-year-old hit 41 home runs, posted a .962 OPS and won his seventh-consecutive Gold Glove last season.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.