Cardinals Deal Nolan Arenado to the Seattle Mariners
As the MLB offseason unfolds, the St. Louis Cardinals continue to surface in trade speculation involving several of their cornerstone players, including Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, and Lars Nootbaar.
It’s becoming increasingly evident that St. Louis is prepared to be aggressive on the trade market in an effort to reshape the roster for the long term. While Donovan has drawn significant interest, Arenado could also net a comparable return in young talent and assets. Given the Cardinals’ direction, moving either player would align with a broader reset.
One club frequently connected to St. Louis in trade discussions is the Seattle Mariners. While most of the chatter has centered on Donovan, Seattle could just as easily emerge as a leading candidate to pursue Arenado.
Why Seattle Makes Sense
The Mariners showed real progress during the 2025 season, advancing to the American League Championship Series before being eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays. Though the foundation is clearly in place, Seattle still lacks a few impact pieces needed to make the jump from contender to champion.
One of the team’s most glaring needs is at third base. Relying solely on Colt Emerson may not be enough, opening the door for a proven veteran like Arenado to step in immediately.
Although Arenado is coming off a down year—posting a .237 average with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs—his career résumé tells a different story. The eight-time All-Star owns a career .282 batting average along with 353 home runs and 1,184 RBIs, underscoring his long-standing ability to influence games both offensively and defensively.
In Seattle, Arenado would benefit from a lineup featuring Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez near the top, with Josh Naylor providing power protection. That support could relieve pressure and allow Arenado to rebound at the plate. Additionally, if Arenado is willing to waive his no-trade clause, joining a legitimate contender like the Mariners could be an appealing destination.
For both teams, such a move would represent a calculated step toward their respective goals—Seattle pushing toward a title, and St. Louis retooling for the future.
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