St. Louis Cardinals President Hints at Trade for Nolan Arenado
St. Louis is buzzing with news about the future of eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado. In a recent chat, the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, dropped the bombshell that he’s aiming to make a trade happen for Arenado this winter. This revelation is making waves and has fans wondering where the talented third baseman might end up.
Ready to Move
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Arenado holds a full no-trade clause, meaning he has the final say on any potential move. But according to his agent, Joel Wolfe, Arenado is actually ready to make things easier. He’s willing to switch positions if it means getting to a team he really wants to join. Wolfe shared with reporters that, “Nolan’s willing to strongly consider it, if it’s the right place to go, but he’s not going to go just anywhere.”
Winning is Everything
What’s driving this potential move? Arenado’s desire to win. Despite being a 10-time Gold Glove winner at third base and powering through a career as a standout player, he’s yet to really shine in the playoffs. Over his 12 seasons with the Colorado Rockies and later the Cardinals, he’s only been part of a team that made it to the postseason eight times. After the Cardinals missed out on the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, Arenado’s future in St. Louis seems less certain.
Position Changes Won’t Scare Him
Interestingly, Arenado has indicated he’s flexible about where he plays on the field. “Nolan was like, ‘I’ll play shortstop. I’ll do whatever, but I’m not insulted to go play first, and I can win a Gold Glove over there,’” Wolfe mentioned. This ability to adapt might make him even more attractive to contending teams looking to shore up their infields.
Potential Destinations
So, where might Arenado land if a trade goes down? According to the inside scoop, he’s open to joining several teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, or Boston Red Sox. Any of these teams could certainly use a player of his caliber, especially given his impressive track record.
Arenado’s Stats and Future
While Arenado’s ability on the field is remarkable, it’s worth noting that recent stats indicate he might not be at the top of his game anymore. He had a slight dip last season, finishing with a .272/.325/.391 slash line along with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs. These numbers are some of his lowest in a regular season since 2014. At 33 years old, some might say he’s not the player he was a few years back, yet don’t count him out. He’s still capable of delivering real value for a team aiming for a deep playoff push.
Looking Ahead
With a hefty remaining contract of around $74 million over the next three seasons, the logistics of trading Arenado won’t be easy, but teams hungry for a chance at the title might see the opportunity as too good to ignore. As the winter meetings unfold in Dallas, the future is wide open for Arenado, and it’s clear that St. Louis fans should keep a close eye on how this saga develops.
For now, it seems like a trade could be on the horizon for Nolan Arenado, creating a shuffle that could shake up the league. Only time will tell where the veteran star will land next!
