St. Louis Cardinals Face Key Decision: Arenado or Mikolas?
The St. Louis Cardinals are grappling with a pivotal roster decision involving star third baseman Nolan Arenado and pitcher Miles Mikolas. While rumors of an Arenado trade have circulated, his departure appears unlikely. Contributing factors include his large contract, no-trade clause, and the availability of free agent Alex Bregman, all of which complicate the Cardinals’ decision-making process.
Arenado’s significant role on the team and his financial terms pose a challenge as the Cardinals look to manage their payroll. Retaining him may necessitate difficult roster moves to maintain financial balance. One potential casualty of these adjustments is pitcher Miles Mikolas, whose future with the team has come under scrutiny.
Mikolas: High Salary, Questionable Performance
As the team’s second-highest-paid pitcher, Mikolas commands $17.6 million in the final year of his contract. Despite being a former All-Star, his recent performance has been inconsistent, with a rising ERA and struggles on the mound. These issues have raised doubts about his value, prompting the Cardinals to consider offloading his contract.
FanSided’s Zachary Rotman noted Mikolas’ declining stats, suggesting the Cardinals might explore trading him to ease financial pressures. However, given Mikolas’ recent struggles, finding a trade partner could be difficult. The Cardinals may need to absorb part of his contract to facilitate a deal and potentially acquire a younger pitching prospect in return.
Balancing Finances and Competitiveness
The decisions surrounding Arenado and Mikolas highlight the Cardinals’ need to balance financial constraints with on-field performance. If Arenado stays, the team’s subsequent moves, including a possible Mikolas trade, will significantly impact its future roster and competitiveness.
As the Cardinals approach this critical crossroads, their choices will likely shape not only their payroll but also their long-term success in the league.
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