2:24PM: In a follow-up message from Olney on X, he hears from rival executives that the Cardinals will in all probability must cowl a few of Arenado’s wage or take again one other unfavorable contract as a wage offset. As a hypothetical, Olney means that if the Dodgers needed Arenado, Chris Taylor and the $17MM remaining on his contract could possibly be provided again to St. Louis to assist cowl the monetary distinction. It isn’t identified whether or not or not the Cardinals can be open to consuming cash or taking an undesirable contract again, which could possibly be an additional impediment in the direction of a commerce being accomplished.
2:04PM: Latest feedback from president of baseball operations John Mozeliak point out that the Cardinals will not be completely viewing 2025 as a rebuild 12 months, although the workforce has already made some strikes with a watch in the direction of lowering payroll. Buying and selling Nolan Arenado will surely be simply concerning the greatest transfer St. Louis might make in that effort to get youthful and cheaper, although past simply the $74MM in owed wage, shifting Arenado is tough as a consequence of his no-trade clause.
To that finish, ESPN’s Buster Olney (X hyperlink) writes that Arenado has “a really restricted listing of…most popular groups” for potential trades. This in flip has left the Cardinals and not using a ton of leverage to find a perfect commerce match that will assist the Playing cards recoup one thing past simply wage aid for the All-Star third baseman.
Earlier reviews with reference to Arenado this offseason indicated that he hasn’t straight requested for a commerce, however he can be keen to maneuver to first base if such a defensive swap is a greater match for a brand new workforce. These two gadgets signify the difficult nature of those commerce talks, as Arenado is seemingly able to be very versatile and accommodating of a commerce, however solely to a couple golf equipment. It isn’t identified precisely what number of groups Arenado is keen to waive his no-trade safety to hitch, or what number of of these groups have their very own curiosity in Arenado as a commerce candidate.
It’s attainable that the Arenado scenario may need knowledgeable Mozeliak’s feedback concerning the group having “each intention of fielding baseball workforce” in 2025. Willson Contreras has already let the Playing cards know he isn’t waiving his no-trade safety, and so St. Louis nonetheless needed extra time for Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages at catcher, the pivot transfer was putting in Contreras because the workforce’s new common first baseman. Sonny Grey additionally has a no-trade clause that he reportedly isn’t eager on waiving, complicating the Cardinals’ efforts to maneuver on from the final two years of Grey’s contract.
If buying and selling Arenado can also be going to be unfeasible as a consequence of a slender market, the Cardinals may’ve determined towards completely punting on the 2025 season. Pending free agent Ryan Helsley now appears to be a less-likely commerce candidate, additional indicating that St. Louis may try to rebuild on the fly whereas nonetheless competing within the NL Central. In fact, Mozeliak’s stance on Helsley is also gamesmanship to drive up presents, and it’s nonetheless early sufficient within the offseason that the Playing cards may once more change lanes relying on how the commerce and free agent markets develop within the subsequent few months.
As an example, the third base market shall be altered as soon as Alex Bregman and (within the occasion of a place change) Willy Adames signal their subsequent contracts. The Phillies are additionally identified to be buying Alec Bohm, giving third-base needy groups an alternative choice. None of this may actually change issues if Arenado merely isn’t keen to increase his listing past that “very restricted” quantity, however a brand new workforce immediately having a necessity at third base might maybe persuade Arenado in any other case.
