For a lot of the offseason, a Nolan Arenado commerce appeared inevitable. However spring coaching is now rolling alongside and he’s nonetheless a Cardinal. At present, Katie Woo of The Athletic takes an in depth have a look at the twists and turns of the winter. Lots of the particulars got here out over the previous few months however the piece additionally gives some new tidbits and further context.
Arenado’s no-trade clause was clearly a key a part of the offseason narrative and the membership’s efforts to commerce him. Experiences all through the winter instructed there was a slender group of golf equipment he was keen to affix, which Woo confirms in her overview. Arenado advised president of baseball operations John Mozeliak that he was keen to waive his no-trade for 5 golf equipment: the Yankees, Dodgers, Padres, Purple Sox and Astros.
The primary three golf equipment on that checklist by no means appeared particularly . The Yankees had been centered on Juan Soto firstly of the offseason. After lacking on the market, they pivoted to getting Max Fried, Devin Williams, Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger. The Dodgers have Max Muncy at third and didn’t appear eager on a swap. The Padres have Manny Machado on the sizzling nook. Arenado was reportedly keen to maneuver to a brand new place however the Friars have budgetary considerations that made a match powerful regardless.
It’s well-known by now that the Astros had been and appeared to have a deal lined up, however Arenado blocked it. Reporting has instructed that Arenado was open to going to Houston however was a bit involved by the membership buying and selling Kyle Tucker and seemingly shifting on from Alex Bregman. Woo’s reporting aligns with that framing, with Arenado wanting a while to consider the opportunity of changing into an Astro. She writes that he was conscious they may transfer on whereas he was taking a while to ponder the concept, which is what occurred. They rapidly signed Christian Walker to cowl first base, which successfully locked Isaac Paredes into the third base spot.
That left the Purple Sox as the most effective touchdown spot for Arenado, with Boston genuinely . Nevertheless, they bolstered their infield by ready out Bregman and signing him, taking them out of the working for Arenado.
Woo experiences that different golf equipment checked in about Arenado’s availability, together with the Royals, Tigers, Mariners and Angels. These had been all wise on-paper touchdown spots. The Royals had been wanting so as to add an enormous bat to the lineup and will bump Maikel Garcia to a utility position. The Tigers had been concerned within the Bregman market, making him a six-figure supply, clearly indicating a willingness so as to add a longtime third baseman forward of prospect Jace Jung. The infield had been a goal for the Mariners this winter, who finally added Donovan Solano and re-signed Jorge Polanco. The Angels had been wanting so as to add at third base with Anthony Rendon now not dependable, finally signing Yoán Moncada. Nevertheless, none of these golf equipment made progress with the Cardinals, as they had been knowledgeable that Arenado wasn’t all for waiving his no-trade safety for them.
All of that led to Mozeliak lately declaring that Arenado would keep a Cardinal, suggesting that he must change his staff preferences to ensure that a deal to come back collectively. That doesn’t appear prone to come to cross. Arenado has a two-year-old child and is seemingly solely open to uprooting his household underneath very particular circumstances. It’s lengthy been reported that Arenado is primarily motivated by successful however it seems that his off-field circumstances are additionally enjoying a notable position in his determination making. “I don’t see myself altering that checklist ever,” Arenado stated. “I’ve a household now. … To be keen to select up my household and transfer them, it needs to be one thing that’s value it.”
That’s his proper as a participant with a no-trade clause, although it leaves the Cardinals in an ungainly spot. They’re doing a reset, making an attempt to show the franchise away from upgrading the massive league roster to a spotlight extra on participant growth. It’s unclear how lengthy it’s going to take them to make a full-throated try at competing once more. For now, Arenado continues to be on the staff, which his contract working via 2027. He’ll be 36 years previous within the closing 12 months of that pact.
It’s attainable a commerce may come collectively on the deadline or in one other offseason, nevertheless it appears it must contain a change at one in all Arenado’s most well-liked locations. Muncy is within the closing assured 12 months of his deal, so maybe a transfer to the Dodgers for 2026 is feasible, although they may maintain Muncy round for ’26 through a $10MM membership choice. Goldschmidt is just on a one-year deal, so the Yankees might need extra curiosity in an infield addition subsequent winter. Bregman may choose out of his Boston deal, although they’ve quite a few infield prospects prone to be developing this 12 months. Maybe the Padres would have curiosity subsequent winter after Luis Arráez, Dylan Stop and Michael King hit free company, with Robert Suarez having the change to opt-out as nicely. A big harm or two may all the time change the calculus someplace.
“If one thing comes up and it is smart, I’ll actually get with him and we’ll discuss it,” Mozeliak stated over the weekend. “However it’s not one thing the place I’m getting up each morning and chasing the waiver wire or chasing accidents. I feel from our fan perspective, from our staff perspective, from our perspective, he is part of the Cardinals.”
It’s an fascinating finish to an offseason the place Mozeliak regarded an Arenado commerce as a prime precedence. The Playing cards needed to cut back payroll and open up some enjoying time for youthful gamers. They might have dropped the payroll in different methods, resembling by buying and selling guys like Ryan Helsley or Erick Fedde, however haven’t proven a lot curiosity in doing that within the brief time period. Maybe the Cardinals will find yourself being one of the vital fascinating golf equipment to observe when the July deadline rolls round, whether or not Arenado is prone to transfer or not.
