The Cardinals’ reset isn’t likely to feature trades of Willson Contreras or Sonny Gray — both have no-trade clauses and reportedly prefer to remain in St. Louis — but they’ll still have some big names on the market. Among them could be third baseman Nolan Arenado. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the Cards will spend the next couple weeks gauging which teams have interest in Arenado and getting a feel for what might be available in a trade. If there’s anything compelling that comes from those early talks, they’ll approach Arenado about his openness to waiving his no-trade clause for a trade to the location(s) in question.
Arenado, 34 in April, is signed for another three seasons and owed a total of $74MM in that time. The Rockies are on the hook for $10MM of that sum ($5MM in 2025 and $5MM in 2026), which helps to make the contract a bit more enticing. The 10-time Gold Glove winner and six-time Platinum Glove recipient remains a premium defender at the hot corner, but while Arenado was an MVP finalist in 2022, his past two seasons at the plate have been far less impressive. He’s still been an above-average hitter, but not by a wide margin. Since Opening Day 2023, Arenado carries a .269/.320/.426 batting line (104 wRC+).
Once a perennial threat for 30 to 40 home runs, Arenado has seen his power diminish considerably over the past two years. This past season’s .123 ISO (slugging percentage minus batting average) was a career-low mark. The 16 home runs he tallied in 635 plate appearances and 152 games are his fewest since he hit only 10 long balls as a rookie in 2013 (albeit in a smaller sample of 133 games/514 plate appearances).
Arenado’s contact skills remain excellent, but even the 15.5% strikeout rate he’s posted since 2023 is up from the 13.2% rate he posted in the four preceding seasons. He’s never been one to walk at an especially high clip, but Arenado drew a free pass in 9.1% of his plate appearances from 2016-22 — compared to just 6.8% in 2023-24. This past season’s average exit velocity (86.3 mph), barrel rate (3.2%) and hard-hit rate (31.2%) were all well shy of league-average and easily career-low numbers.
The downturn in offensive output, combined with a relatively weighty salary and Arenado’s no-trade rights, all complicate the paths to a potential deal being brokered. The extent to which that no-trade provision will come into play is an open question, but there’s reason to think it might not be the hurdle such clauses often are. Arenado’s exit in Colorado was prompted in part by his frustration over the team’s inability to field a competitive roster. He passed on an opt-out opportunity in contract after a third-place NL MVP finish in 2022 partly because he prioritized playing for a contending club and expected the Cardinals to be just that.
While a trade of Arenado is far, far from a sure thing, there are plenty of teams who’ll be in the mix for third base help. The Yankees, Mariners, Astros (if Alex Bregman leaves), Blue Jays, Tigers and Royals all have reasonably straightforward vacancies at the position. If Pete Alonso signs elsewhere in free agency, the Mets could move Mark Vientos to first base and enter the third base market. The Dodgers don’t need a third baseman but have been linked to Arenado frequently over the years.
If the Cardinals do move on from Arenado, it’ll gel with their offseason goal of opening more playing time for young talent. They’ve already committed to moving Contreras to first base in order to create at-bats for 24-year-old Ivan Herrera behind the dish. Dealing Arenado could open reps for Jordan Walker at his natural position — his attempted move from third base to the outfield hasn’t played out particularly well — or for Nolan Gorman. It’d also trim a notable amount of money off the books in each of the next three years, perhaps allowing the Cards to spend a bit more freely when they eventually look to emerge from the current retooling effort.
bkbk
Arte Moreno has had to change his pants three times hes so excited about absorbing this contract. Hes reading this post doing the thing that flys do with their hands.
Bauer? But I Hardly Know Her!
For Luis Renigfo straight up, no salary relief.
Troutahni
Save my post. Rengifo will bat over.310 next season with an OBA over. 370, hit 20 home runs, 40 doubles, 5 triples and steal 25 bags His BAIP wasn’t luck. He has a strategy every time he goes to the dish. I’ve watched ever game he had playe over the last few years. He has good vs at control and knows hit to hit where they ain’t. His growth has been slow and arduous. He has shown tremendous growth. He is definitely the catalyst of Angels offense. Real Angel fans are salivating for Rengifo to have his breakout season and i feel strongly he stays healthy and could become an All-Star this season.
kellin
His breakout season should have been 2024 before he got hurt. He was showing that regular playing time makes him a good player. I will be disappointed if he gets traded like the rumors suggest, but if they bring back something decent in return, then fine. I just don’t have any idea who could play 3rd, we surely cant rely on Rendon.
thebirds
What a waste of time. Cardinals should have done this rebuild years ago. Now they will go with the young’s guys and drop the payroll only to convince themselves they have the best future in baseball and don’t need to spend money to win.. they will just need “patience from the fans”. lol
Blackpink in the area
The Cardinals were a 93 win team in 2022 and Arenado was an MVP candidate.
Seamaholic
Yep. It was his best year, statistically. But he really looked like he’s lost his hand speed last year, and it affected both offense and defense. He was always an odd hitter. All his power is the pull side and it comes from his freakily fast hands on inside hard stuff. If that’s gone, I wouldn’t expect him to even be league average going forward.
Blackpink in the area
His defense looks to be in decline. He is/was having problems with his shoulder. Is that going to get better? I really dont know but my guess is it doesn’t.
He takes bad at bats. His approach to hitting is flawed. I don’t think it’s a physical issue I think he tries too hard and doesn’t think.
RodBecksBurnerAccount
Why should they have done a rebuild “years ago?” Goldschmidt and Arenado finished 1st and 3rd in the MVP just 2 years ago and won 93 games. They also had/have a good mix of young talent on the roster.
I do think Marmol is the worst manager in baseball and don’t understand why they keep him around though. I’d argue if they got rid of him and replaced him with Shumaker they’d be competitively next year.
kellin
Wait, so the worst manager in baseball isn’t Boone? Also, Schumaker isn’t available, he got hired as a special assistant for the Rangers.
bangarangbooty
I like Arenado, and sometimes I’m still amazed that the Cardinals were ever able to land him to begin with. However, he has been extremely frustrating to watch the past couple of seasons. He seldom swings with authority anymore, instead shortening his swing to the point of check swinging more than anyone I’ve ever seen. Even worse, he’s one of the least clutch hitters I’ve ever seen. He completely lacks confidence at the plate. That, combined with his lack of leadership, makes me fine with the Cardinals letting him go.
Johnny Angel
Arenando is not going anywhere.
Bucket Number Six
Watch. They might have to pay that $50 million they got with him in order to get a decent prospect.
El Kabong
Thanks. I’ll forward your ringing endorsement to the other 29 teams. That’ll make it easy for the Cardinals to find a trade partner.
letsgooakland123
Trading Arenado could be the baseball equivalent of pawning your vintage guitar to fund piano lessons for your kid—bold, painful, and risky, but hey, at least the Cardinals might end up with a few more harmonious hits in the future.
Don'tBeDumb
Arenado sucks at guitar, got it
Blackpink in the area
Article yesterday by Katie Woo discussing how the Cardinals are not selling off the team. Why is it that article wasn’t shared on thos site yet this one was?
Stop trolling me. I need to find something better to do than waste my time on this site.
RoastGobot
Boo
Hoo
Seamaholic
They might well get better by trading Arenado. Likely in fact, It would clear $30m a year to sign someone else (Max Fried and more?), get Walker and/or Gorman back to where they’re comfortable, and avoid counting on a guy who’s clearly in deep decline. It’s not a sell off. And in the end he might be demanding a trade anyway (which he’s done before of course).
Blackpink in the area
I don’t think Walker belongs anywhere near 3b. Gorman maybe but there better be a backup plan in place. Gorman, Donovan and Saggese is probably enough at 3b although I would want a 3b prospect in a trade somewhere along the line.
As far as 2025 plans perhaps use some of the Arenado money for Scherzer. Then the team could theoretically contend in 2024 but if it doesn’t they can sell at the deadline.
ih8tepaperstraws
Scherzer’s K/9 was way down last year. He too is done.
Blackpink in the area
Maybe he’s toast maybe playing for his hometown revitalizes him. It’s gonna take a long shot for the Cardinals to compete in 2025 so yeah I would give him a shot.
eatonculo
I was going to mention that too. Walker isn’t agile enough to play 3B in the Major Leagues.
I could maybe see him playing 1B, but they should have started that transition years ago. (Same as they should have done with RF.)
If he played football, he’d make a better LT or DE than a TE. He has speed, but can’t stop or cut very well. (I’ll have that Dylan Carlson collision in my mind for a long time.)
Gwynning
Here’s a Padre beach towel for your tears, Joel!
fred-3
Waited about a year and half too late. They could’ve got a good young pitcher if they traded him then. Now, it’s just a salary dump.
Armaments216
Cardinals to measure Arenado’s number, gauge team chemistry.
OfficerCarlWinslow
He’s going to the Yankees so they can add another past his prime star player with Rizzo (and likely Lemahieu) gone! Carrying on the Yankees tradition!
– CW
Troutahni
Cardinals fans have the reputation of being the smartest fans of all fan bases. Never try to dupe their fans. They will call you out on it.
BTW :Rizzo is a free agent. I think he is going to retire, but that’s my opinion. It apps age and injury has zapped him off his power, but he can take a walk.
kevnames42
@officercarlwinslow Good thing you put your initials at the end, otherwise I wouldn’t have known who posted!
joew
I wouldn’t be opposed to a Nolan for keybryan Hayes headline. I’ve grown weary of waiting for Hayes to be healthy and consistent when he is needed to be. He has great potential though.
Other pieces would determine if it would make sense but moving Hayes to bring in something you can count on to be in the field and not hold the offense back wouldn’t be the worst thing for a win now attitude.
PunkRockies
Even the Pirates wouldn’t be that dumb
Troutahni
What happened to Hayes this past season? It appeared he was finally getting much better as a hitter, but seems to have lost it? I know he was on the IL often last season, but his performance dropped way off.
joew
@trout he can’t get on base, isn’t consistent and always injured. Good potential and cheap though.
Seamaholic
Why would the Cards do that? They have two natural 3B in Gorman and Walker just waiting for the chance to go back there.
Four4fore
Seattle along with Helsley for one of their starting pitchers?
kws001
The Mariners might be willing to move Castillo, but he’s the only one. It would take an act of Congress to get any of those other guys from DiPoto. I get it because run prevention is important, but he needs to balance it out some.
Seamaholic
Seattle is the first team I thought of, too, but I’m gonna guess Arenado would say no. Unless the M’s tack a year on or something, which would be crazy dumb. Having observed him for years, Arenado is a crusty, intense, kind of jerky dude. Nothing wrong with that. Many great players are. But he’s not gonna say yes to a team he doesn’t want to play for, or a city he doesn’t want to play in.
cardinalred
I would agree with this, but for Hancock and not any of the other top of the rotation guys. Arenado, Helsley, Fedde, and Crooks for Hancock and a couple of guys a few years away in their team top 15, like Celesten and Sloan. Next year would be a great year to see if Gorman or Walker could play at 3B.
Four4fore
Pages rather than Crooks I think they values Crooks bat too much to move on this quickly. I was looking at a Hancock,and maybe a Brash type return with the Cardinals sending some cash.
Four4fore
and that’s without adding Fedde.
Devlsh
Hancock? Seriously? I MIGHT deal Arenado straight up for Hancock, with the Mariners eating most of the money. but to include one of the best closers AND a SP who quite frankly may be the equal if not better than Hancock AND the Cardinals #5 prospect for that package isn’t even a starting point in the discussions.
Lindor's Bodyguard
No chance on the Mets.
blakestreet
My guess is that Arenado will be traded to the Dodgers. He’d likely approve it, since he was born in the LA area. Plus, he’d be an improvement over Muncy.
El Kabong
Bad guess. Muncy is a good player, reasonaly priced, and has one year left on his deal. The Dodgers would be dumb to trade for Arenado’s contract. Andrew Friedman isn’t dumb. The Dodgers just won the World Series without Arenado.
Blackpink in the area
I am sure that Arenado would like to play for the Dodgers. As you said he’s from the area and of course they just won a championship. But the Dodgers do have Muncy and Muncy would have no place to play.
El Kabong
@Blackpink,
The Dodgers can afford to sit this one out.
Who do you think would be a realistic trade partner for Arenado if the Cardinals want to trade him? It wouldn’t be a straight salary dump since the other team would obviously want him as their third baseman.
Blackpink in the area
Yankees get
Arenado
Nootbaar
King
Cardinals get
Dominguez
Lemahieu
Lemahieus contract helps pay for Arenado. Yankees get Nootbaar as Verdugos replacement. Cardinals get a ready to play outfielder who hopefully can live up to the hype.
El Kabong
Not bad. The Yankees would probably add a prospect as a lottery ticket. The Yankees payroll would be immense, but Arenado and Stanton would come off the books after the 2027 season (assuming the Yankees buy out Stanton for $10M prior to 2028).
Seamaholic
Nootbaar is the best player in that deal currently, just so you know. That seems like a LOT for Dominguez and a negative asset. I know the Yankees think Dominguez is the next Mickey Mantle, but he’s not THAT good.
ih8tepaperstraws
Yankees wouldn’t Dominguez. He’s been a monster in the minors when healthy. He’s had some legit and bad luck injuries. When he can stay healthy he’ll be in their lineup next year.
Blackpink in the area
I think Dominguez can do about what Nootbaar does in 2025. Maybe Dominguez improves maybe he doesnt. But i think. That’s about neutral. Obviously Arenado is better than Lemahieu.
ih8tepaperstraws
Nootbaar and Dominguez are nowhere near the same player. Nootbaar has no power and his OPS is misleading because of his high walk rate. The Martian is a beast with 40+ HR potential with speed. And Dominguez will only turn 22 in February and has not yet accrued one year of service time.
Blackpink in the area
Nootbaar has power and he would certainly have more playing at Yankee stadium. Yes Dominguez has potential. Sometimes that’s realized sometimes it’s not. I will say it again for 2025 I think you could expect similar results from those players. The hope for the Cardinals would be Dominguez gets better over time
ih8tepaperstraws
Nootbaar has 10-15 HR power like almost every other hitter in the league. Dominguez slugs 200 points higher. Dominguez is the 14th ranked prospect in all of baseball. He’s a legit 5 tool player in Center Field. The two have never nor will ever be thought of as comparable players. Much less should Nootbaar ever be thought of as the best player in a trade that would involve the two.
Seamaholic
He actually grew up a Yankees fan.
BlueSkies_LA
Muncy could be moved back to 2B if the Dodgers are really thinking of Betts as the primary SS. Lux then becomes a trade piece. Seems like kind of a long shot, but it can be made to work.
El Kabong
If Mookie rejoins the infield, I prefer him at 2B and Muncy at 3B. The Dodgers don’t have a pressing 2025 need for Arenado and his two additional years.
BlueSkies_LA
We don’t know yet where the Dodgers prefer to position Betts, but I sure wouldn’t rule out SS. If they want to improve, then replacing Lux with Arenado in the lineup is one way to do it.
Seamaholic
I don’t know how much better a hitter Arenado is than Lux. Very similar last year and Lux is 26 and improving.
Blackpink in the area
I think Lux earned a starting job heading I to 2025. Muncy seems like wouldn’t be missed but they would have to trade him. Perhaps a 3 team deal it worked with the Edman deal.
Blackpink in the area
The Dodgers don’t really have any pressing needs. But they will probably want to get better and they probably have money to spend to do it.
BlueSkies_LA
The biggest ding on Lux is his awful spilts. He’s a black hole in the lineup against LHP and not really getting any better in that department.
El Kabong
The Dodgers don’t have to spend much money to get better. Just make sound decisions. Their long-range payroll is not in bad shape. And they keep drafting and developing good players, even though they’re constantly drafting near the bottom of every round.
El Kabong
Why move Betts to SS for one year with Freeland on the horizon? It’s not a move the Dodgers would typically make. Healthier pitching is the primary way for them to improve. In the meantime, start sprinkling in young players with six years of control.
Cap & Crunch
Hard pass on Nolan
I’m in BIG favor of buying low on a multi year deal with Kim tho.
alwaysatiger38
The Tigers make sense. Desperately need a 3rd baseman and a right handed hitter in their lineup. Take on his salary so return is limited and we can wait for Mcgonigle and Ranier to pair with Sweeney and Keith
El Kabong
The Tigers wanting to limit the return would suggest they don’t desperately want a third baseman like Arenado. Other teams will be interested; the Cardinals would take the offer they like best.
pepenas34
Arenado has a NTC, so it is very limited the market. Remember Stanton trade? Marlins had no leverage at all.
ih8tepaperstraws
Member the Arenado trade? Rockies had no leverage at all.
Seamaholic
I don’t think the Cards get much more than salary relief to be honest. Arenado could be about to fall completely off the cliff. There are signs.
RobblyDobs
That’s about right. If the Cards want anything back from the Yanks they need to add Helsley. Think Arenado + Helsley could tip the Yankees over the edge.
May still not be enough for Dominguez though, and that’s who they ought to be targeting. Maybe add a risky upside pitcher like Roby to balance it?
CardsFan57
I think Gray moves by the deadline this year. He will move to Atlanta if given the chance. He will also go to the Reds if they find a way to get it together this year.
Armaments216
If Nick Martinez accepts their QO that probably takes the Reds out of the running for spending anything else on starting pitching.
CardsFan57
I don’t see Arenado going anywhere but LAD or NYY. Other teams he might approve are set at 3B.
El Kabong
We don’t know who he might approve. The Dodgers don’t have the need.
17dizzy
CardsFan57 —— I agree with you about Arenado being traded to the Dodgers, replacing Muncy.
Plus I see the Dodgers to following up that trade up in a way to Lure Juan Soto to also sign with the Dodgers.
Creating a Batting order of:
Othani
Betts
Freeman
Soto
Aranedo
Edman
Lux
Hendrix
*********
Etc. Etc. Etc.
El Kabong
The Dodgers don’t need a third baseman.
RobblyDobs
From the Cards point of view, that’s a nice auction
dugmet
I wonder if David Stearn and the Mets would prefer Arenado, 3B, $64m 3/years and Vientos at 1B to Alonso, 1B, $140m/ 5 years and Vientos at 3B.
CardsFan57
I think Arenado would approve the Mets if they shifted Vientos to 1B.
El Kabong
I think it’s $74 for three years.: 32 + 27 + 15.
Alonso could possible be more than five years. Sigfn Soto, trade for Arenado, let Alonso go (Vientos to 1B like you said). That would leave the Mets with plenty of room to huint for pitching.
CardsFan57
Colorado pays $10 million of Arenado’s remaining salary
hiflew
Just a quick aside, but shouldn’t every GM gauge trade interest on EVERY single player on their roster every year? They don’t have to actually trade them, but knowing their worth throughout the league is knowledge that every GM should have.
Seamaholic
And they do. This is just the Cards (or possibly Arenado’s agent’s) way to signify to other teams to start bidding.
ih8tepaperstraws
With sarcasm** isn’t that what the trade calculator is for?
slider32
If the Cards decide to move him now is a good time. He still can play and has a good salary moving forward.. Trades usually give you more bang for your buck than free agents.
El Kabong
General Managers probably chat all the time. And front offices (at least the good ones) have a handle on minor leaguers in every organization.
Senioreditor
Muncy, Lux and a good prospect?
Seamaholic
Way too much.
eatonculo
Trading Arenado to Los Angeles makes all the sense in the world until you realize the Dodgers are one of the smartest franchises in the business.
Arenado still has something to give, but he’s not worth the money he’s going to make. I think the Cardinals will have to package him with other players.
Braves Butt-Head
He’ll be Dodger one way or another
Bill Rogers
Walker was no great shakes at third either; where he would play if Arenado leaves is uncertain. Brendan Donovan can play third.
Blackpink in the area
Donovan, Gorman and Saggese is probably ok st third. But losing Goldschmidts defense and Arenado both would really hurt the infield defense.
cooperhill
There’s going to be no interest, not with that contract.
swanhenge
He’d look good in Boston as long as the prospect ask isn’t too high.
ATLbravos
they would have to eat half the salary and send him in a package deal…
i got gray and helsely to the braves for a blockbuster
eatonculo
I’d do that deal if the Braves have any more guys like Wainright in the minors.
ih8tepaperstraws
Walker is too tall to play in 3B.
Blackpink in the area
I believe there are 2 teams that make sense for Arenado and it’s the 2 teams who were in the World Series. Arenado is a West coast guy but his personality is crazy intense and that’s more of an East coast trait. He has a NTC I don’t think he’s accepting a trade to the Tigers or Mariners or someone like that. Maybe the Mets.
El Kabong
Arenado makes no sense for the Dodgers. They already have a third baseman. Teams don’t make a trade just to make a trade. Especially the Dodgers. They win every year because they are smart and have an outstanding organization, top to bottom.
Blackpink in the area
Muncy missed a large portion of the 2024 season. Most people would take Arenado over Muncy moving forward.
Tom Emansk1
There’s a team just a straight shot up 55 with a Nolan Arenado sized hole in their lineup. Never will happen though. The time for the Cubs to make the move was when the Rox were dumping him at a negative valuation but alas that was too smart for them.
ih8tepaperstraws
The Cubs traded for Isaac Paredes. He very good defensively and offers more upside offensively at this point in their careers.
Blackpink in the area
Contending teams dont want upside they want production. But Arenado wants to play for a winner. And the Cubs are……not that………