Grappling with a Rocky Start: Arenado's Future with the St. Louis Cardinals
Cardinals persist in attempting to trade Nolan Arenado; potential interest from the Dodgers?
The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a challenging 2025 season, and the upcoming fate of one of their top players, Nolan Arenado, hangs in the balance. With trade whispers swirling for weeks, the intensity surrounding Arenado's potential move has heightened.
As the Cardinals inch closer to the trade deadline, questions linger about whether a team will take the bait and trade for the eight-time All-Star. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, there's been no concrete evidence of a trade suitor as of yet.
"Despite the ongoing rumors, the Dodgers have not shown interest in Arenado. They're still banking on third baseman Max Muncy escaping his early-season woes," Nightengale reported.
The Dodgers have grappled with injuries throughout the season, but they've managed to play competitive ball. It seems they'd rather wait for their roster to heal before exploring external options. Meanwhile, if the Cardinals find themselves hovering around .500 at the deadline, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak might hold off on trading Arenado, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo.
Arenado's no-trade clause in his contract gives him the upper hand in negotiations. He's communicated a willingness to waive this clause for select teams, making it possible for him to potentially call a new locker room home.
A Tough Call for the Redbirds
Should the Cardinals wish to part ways with Arenado, it would be prudent to reduce his substantial contract obligations, suggests ESPN's David Schoenfield. "Several teams could use an upgrade at third base, but Arenado’s remaining contract complicates things," he wrote. With a $32 million salary this season, a $27 million commitment in 2026, and $15 million owed in 2027, potential suitors might be deterred by the financial burden.
With the trade deadline approaching, and contenders assessing their roster needs, it wouldn't be surprising if a team made a move to acquire Arenado. The Cardinals might be poised to embark on a rebuild, and shedding Arenado's contract would mark the beginning of a new era for the team.
As the Cardinals navigate their season and the trade deadline looms, fans and analysts eagerly await the outcome of Nolan Arenado's destiny.
References:
- [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33279919/mlb-cardinals-general-manager-john-mozeliak-prepared-difficult-conversations]
- [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/nolan-arenado-has-two-no-trade-clauses-why-that-makes-a-trade-difficult-for-the-cardinals/]
- [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2025/05/03/cardinals-facing-harsh-trade-reality-arenado-why-trade-deadline-matters/6490190002/]
- [https://www.si.com/mlb/cardinals/2025/04/20/st-louis-cardinals-nolan-arenado-trade-rumors-speculation-prospects]
- The Dodgers have not shown interest in Arenado, but if they find themselves in better health before the trade deadline, they might consider him as an upgrade at third base, seeking to leverage their roster's recovery for a potential deal.
- Arenado's contract, with its substantial financial obligations, might deter several teams in need of a third baseman, as they weigh the potential benefits against the long-term commitment.
- If the Cardinals choose to trade Arenado, it could signal the beginning of a rebuild, as they aim to offload his contract and acquire prospects to bolster their future sports roster.
- Analysts are closely watching the situation, as Arenado's no-trade clause gives him significant leverage in negotiations, potentially leading to a surprising relocation to a new team during the MLB season.
- Rumors of Arenado's trade have swirled for weeks, causing uncertainties for the Cardinals, particularly as they struggle to maintain a winning average in the competitive world of baseball.
