The St. Louis Cardinals‘ rebuilding plan consists of probably buying and selling star third baseman Nolan Arenado.
“[Having Arenado remain a Cardinal] is a chance, however I’m unsure that places us the place we need to be,” group president John Mozeliak mentioned at MLB’s Winter Meetings in Dallas. “From a monetary standpoint of attempting to maneuver our payroll, there are definitely different methods to do this, however [dealing Arenado] could be an enormous assist. It’s monetary, but it surely additionally creates a runway for another person.”
He added, “These choices should not one thing we ever take flippantly. [Arenado] isn’t demanding a commerce. He’s not telling me I’ve to do it, however I feel in one of the best curiosity of each side, I’d wish to attempt to discover him someplace to land.”
Arenado, 33, is below contract for 2025 at $32 million, 2026 at $27 million and 2027 at $15 million. He has a full no-trade clause, one thing he waived when he was dealt from the Colorado Rockies to the Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2021, however he acquired important monetary incentives for doing so.
“[The no-trade clause] is a complicating activity, however once more we have had open dialogue, and we perceive the place this will likely finish,” Mozeliak mentioned.
Arenado is coming off the primary of his 12 main league seasons during which he did not make the National League All-Star group, win a Gold Glove or each. He is an eight-time All-Star and a 10-time Gold Glove winner.
In 2024, Arenado hit .272 with a .325 on-base share, a .394 slugging share, 16 homers and 71 RBIs in 152 video games. The homer and RBI totals had been his worst in 10 years, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 marketing campaign.
The Cardinals are coming off an 83-79 season during which they tied for second place within the NL Central however did not make the playoffs.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
