JUST IN: Cardinals final decision on Nolan Arenado. Staying or leaving?

The St. Louis Cardinals are anticipated to make significant moves this offseason as they continue to reshape their team. John Mozeliak, the current head of the front office, is set to be succeeded by Chaim Bloom after the season ends, although Mozeliak will remain with the organization. One major player potentially on the move is third baseman Nolan Arenado. With two years left on his contract at a relatively affordable price, Arenado is an appealing trade asset, especially as he remains an elite defensive third baseman.

Paul Goldschmidt’s contract situation adds complexity, as the veteran first baseman is a free agent and is not expected to re-sign with the Cardinals. This further positions Arenado as a significant piece the Cardinals could leverage in their retooling efforts. Although Arenado’s contract provides a cost-effective option compared to high-priced free agents, the Cardinals may decide to trade him to maximize their return.

According to Thomas Gauvin of Redbird Rants, Arenado is a desirable trade option for teams unwilling to commit to the long-term deals demanded by free agents like Alex Bregman or Willy Adames. He suggests that teams who miss out on these top free agents may pivot to acquiring Arenado as a strategic alternative. This approach could influence the Cardinals’ decision-making in the upcoming offseason.

New Cardinals hitting coach Brant Brown has already signaled that the organization may be looking past Arenado. Brown has reportedly interacted with younger players like Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker but has not reached out to Arenado. This suggests the team may not be prioritizing Arenado as part of their future plans or upcoming strategy.

Nolan Arenado

While there remains a possibility that Arenado stays with St. Louis if trade offers fall short of expectations, the likelihood of movement grows as the offseason progresses. The Cardinals’ willingness to trade him underscores their intent to reconfigure their roster and potentially make more significant changes before the next season.