Nolan Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals’ third baseman, has been at the center of a long-running trade saga. The eight-time MLB All-Star has been looking for a trade to a World Series contender, but the mechanics of such a move are tough.
Arenado has a full no-trade clause in his eight-year, $260,000 deal, which expires after the 2027 season (with deferred money until 2041, per Spotrac). In December, the 10-time Gold Glove winner turned down a trade to the Houston Astros (via MLB.com). Alex Bregman, Houston’s veteran third baseman, has subsequently committed to a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, eliminating another potential Arenado suitor and boosting the chance that he would stay in St. Louis to begin the 2025 season.
According to John Denton of MLB.com, Arenado has trimmed his list of potential trade partners to six teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and New York Mets. Mark Vientos is a budding star at third base for New York, and the team has committed to almost $1 billion in contracts this offseason. Despite appearing on Arenado’s list, these two factors made the Mets an improbable landing choice.
With no apparent development between St. Louis and any of Arenado’s other favorite teams, Cardinals president John Mozeliak told reporters on Thursday that the star third baseman will most likely stay put between now and Opening Day.
Following this announcement, Arenado issued a three-word Instagram statement indicating that he is preparing to join his team for Spring Training. “Bye, OC,” Arenado wrote. “Florida”
Arenado grew up in Orange County, California, and spends his offseason there. The six-time Platinum Glove winner is now preparing to join the Cardinals in Florida for Spring Training after learning he will most likely be on the Opening Day roster. Arenado’s OPS of.719 in 152 games last season was the lowest since his rookie season with the Colorado Rockies.
