In what could be one of the offseason's most consequential moves, the St. Louis Cardinals have signaled their intent to trade Nolan Arenado. John Mozeliak, the team's president of baseball operations, revealed this unexpected strategy during the Winter Meetings in Dallas. Derrick Goold of STLToday, Jeff Jones of Belleville News Democrat, and John Denton of MLB.com reported on statements made by Mozeliak on December 9th.
"It's my intention to try," Mozeliak declared, according to FirstAlert4, signaling a departure from the club's current financial track. This startling decision comes on the heels of a reportedly planned payroll reduction for 2025, predicated upon investment in organizational infrastructure and player development. The Cardinals have made several moves in line with this approach, though they have yet to make significant financial cuts, save for allowing Paul Goldschmidt and Andrew Kittredge to walk in free agency, and declining options on players like Lance Lynn.
Concurrently, the New York Yankees have emerged as a potential trade destination for the star third baseman. Arenado, anchored by a hefty remaining three-year, $74 million salary as part of an eight-year deal, appears to be a financial pivot point for the Cardinals. As per Bleacherreport, Mozeliak commented, "We both remain optimistic that both parties will remain happy somehow." He further explained that while keeping Arenado is possible, a trade "would be a big help" to the team's financial objectives. However, the player's no-trade clause could prove to be a stumbling block.
On the field, Arenado's performance has been notable, albeit a dip from his usual output in 2024. Reuters highlighted that the third baseman hit .272 last season with 16 homers — his worst homer and RBI totals in a decade except for the shortened 2020 campaign. Despite this, his career record remains impressive. The Cardinals' desire to trade Arenado stems not from a decline in performance, but rather from a strategy to reallocate finances and potentially provide opportunities for up-and-coming talent.
As these trade winds start to pick up, it remains to be seen how negotiations will play out. The Cardinals' 2024 season saw them tie for second place in the NL Central but fail to secure a playoff berth. A recalibration of the team's financial structure with an eye toward the future seems to have directly put one of their marquee players on the trading block. With the Yankees showing interest, as per Reuters, the coming weeks could witness a significantly altered MLB landscape should a deal come to fruition.
