Stands Firm on Trade Preferences Amid Rumors
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado has made it clear that he will only accept a trade to a select group of teams. The 10-time Gold Glove winner informed Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak that he would approve a move to one of five teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, or Houston Astros. Although the Cardinals nearly finalized a deal sending him to Houston, the trade ultimately fell through, keeping Arenado in St. Louis for his fifth season with the team.
Arenado, who has three years and $52 million remaining on his contract, remains firm on his trade preferences. When asked if he would consider expanding his list, his response was clear: “I don’t see myself changing that list ever.” In a conversation with The Athletic, he explained that his choices go beyond baseball success, emphasizing the impact on his family and the importance of a move being truly worthwhile.
Offensive Struggles Raise Questions About His Future
While Arenado remains one of the most durable players in the league, his offensive production has declined. Over the past two seasons, the Cardinals have missed the playoffs, and Arenado’s numbers have dipped as well. He finished last season hitting .269 with a .746 OPS, with just 71 RBIs—his lowest in a full season since 2014.
Despite his struggles, Arenado was still one of only five Cardinals to post at least 2.0 bWAR in 2023. However, that number pales in comparison to the 2022 team, which had nine such players while winning 93 games. St. Louis will need Arenado to return to form if they hope to compete for a postseason spot. His performance in September was particularly concerning, as he hit just one home run in 23 games.
If Arenado can bounce back, the Yankees or Astros may revisit trade talks before the deadline. However, unless it’s one of his preferred destinations, the star third baseman appears content staying put in St. Louis.
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