As a result, the St. Louis Cardinals and Nolan Arenado are in a waiting position.
The eight-time All-Star third baseman remains a member of the Cardinals.
This offseason, the Cardinals have put the right-handed hitter Arenado, 33, on the trade market.
The team is looking to reduce their current Tax Payroll of $ 126,955,554, as reported by sportrac.com.
However, there are several factors complicating a potential trade for Arenado.
He has three years left on a nine-year, $ 275 million contract that he signed while with the Colorado Rockies.
Currently, Arenado is owed $ 74 million over the final three years of that deal.
The Rockies are covering $ 10 million of that contract, and there are some deferrals in play.
According to mlbtraderumors.com, the “present-day value of Arenado’s contract is reportedly around $ 60 million.”
MLB.com has identified the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Angels as teams that Arenado would be open to joining in a trade.
In summary, three key factors influence a potential trade for Arenado:
- The remaining $ 74 million on his contract
- The portion of that contract the Cardinals are willing to take on in a trade
- Whether Arenado will waive his no-trade clause if the Cardinals identify a trade partner
All these issues must be addressed by both teams before any trade can occur.
Having previously been represented by the Boras Corporation, Arenado is now with Wasserman as his agents.
In an effort to enhance his trade appeal and increase his versatility, reports suggest that Arenado is open to transitioning from third base to first base.
As a native of Newport Beach, California, a move to his home state would likely be well-received.
With spring training on the horizon next month, Arenado feels like a jumbo jet circling a city, awaiting permission to land.
He will turn 34 in April.
Like many aging elite athletes, his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame has experienced its share of wear and tear after 12 years in the major leagues.
If Arenado is traded, the Cardinals will need to fill two new corner infield positions in 2025, as first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has signed a one-year, $ 12 million free agent deal with the New York Yankees.
About Nolan Arenado:
Arenado was selected by the Rockies in the second round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.
After signing out of El Toro High School in Lake Forest, California, he received a $ 625,000 signing bonus and was the 59th player chosen in the draft.
Arenado made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2013 at the age of 23.
On February 1, 2021, the Rockies traded Arenado, along with his newly signed contract, to the Cardinals.
In exchange, the Rockies acquired five players: infielder Mateo Gil, pitchers Tony Locey, Jake Sommers, Austin Gomber, and corner infielder Elehuris Montero.
Arenado has made significant contributions to both the Rockies and the Cardinals.
Over eight seasons with Colorado, he posted a batting line of .293/.349/.541/.890, recording 262 doubles, 27 triples, 235 home runs, and 760 RBIs across 4,558 plate appearances.
In his four seasons with St. Louis, Arenado has a slash line of .271/.328/.470/.797, with 125 doubles, six triples, 106 home runs, and 372 RBIs in 2,288 plate appearances.
While playing for Colorado, Arenado benefited from the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field.
In contrast, Busch Stadium in St. Louis is less favorable to hitters.
Along with participating in eight All-Star Games, Arenado has earned five Silver Slugger Awards.
An exceptional fielder, he has also won 10 Gold Gloves and five Platinum Gloves, which recognize the league’s top overall defensive player.
When eligible, Arenado is likely to receive serious consideration for the Hall of Fame.
For now, though, both the Cardinals and Arenado are in a waiting game to see if a trade can be finalized.
It would be quite ironic if a trade were to occur on February 1, the anniversary of when he was traded from Colorado to St. Louis.
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