The St. Louis Cardinals are all set to reorganize their team. And the Nolan Arenado trade would probably be the first step in this reset. Arenado was acquired in 2021 and has been vital ever since. Moving him might, however, open up a sizable amount of payroll space as the team concentrates on upgrading the player development system and financial flexibility. 

The Cardinals would then be free to reassemble their roster more naturally, maybe concentrating on younger players. Early in the offseason, John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations for the St. Louis Cardinals, spoke with star third baseman Nolan Arenado. Both parties agreed that a trade might be the best course of action for the team and Arenado’s future. 

Nolan Arenado activated the no-trade clause with the Astros  

Naturally, by the middle of December, the St. Louis Cardinals found a home for Nolan Arenado. According to The Athletic, the Houston Astros were ready to welcome the third baseman and pay most of the remaining $74 million on the third baseman’s deal. It looked like the Cardinals had found their dream trade. St. Louis would have the financial flexibility they desperately needed. Arenado would have the opportunity to play for a contender. But the baseball world had a whole other plan. 

Arenado used his entire no-trade clause and rejected the deal. The #28 baseman apparently wasn’t entirely convinced about Houston at the time. It seems that he was waiting for market clarity, particularly over the future of star third baseman Alex Bregman. However, Houston’s next move came less than a week later. Christian Walker agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract with the club. With that, Arenado’s possible future in Houston went out of the ballpark. What are the Cardinals going to do with Nolan Arenado Now?

Weighing the Cardinals’ options 

Nearly two weeks have passed since the whole Nolan Arenado incident. Then what? Well, let’s just say the silence has been deafening. According to The Athletic, “there has been minimal traction” on any Arenado talks. This shouldn’t come as a huge shock. Arenado is an elite talent with a big contract, a no-trade clause, and a ton of deferred money. Trading a guy like that was always going to be complicated. 

Arenado still owes that $74 million over the next three years. Thanks to the Colorado Rockies though. They have covered $10 million of that deal. But the Cardinals are still left holding a big chunk. Some of the deferred money reportedly turns into the equivalent of $60 million. That’s not pocket change, and it’s clear why the Cards are eager to get rid of it. Then there’s the third base issue.

The market for Arenado isn’t as large as it could be. That is simply because there aren’t a ton of teams needing an upgrade at third. Either the crews already got one in free agency or do not need it. With his no-trade clause, Arenado is making all the choices. Past reports have suggested he’s open to a handful of teams: the Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, and Padres. Who knows?

So, where does that leave the Cardinals? The club is still looking for a taker, but with the deck stacked in Arenado’s favor, they can’t afford to rush the process.