Nolan Arenado’s future with the St. Louis Cardinals is uncertain as trade rumors swirl during the offseason. The eight-time All-Star is anticipated to be moved, with reports indicating he may waive his no-trade clause to facilitate a deal with potential new teams.
Trade Speculation Surrounding Nolan Arenado
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Arenado is “widely expected” to be traded this offseason. Last year, the Cardinals made efforts to move him but faced challenges. Initially, discussions with the Houston Astros fell through when Arenado opted not to waive his no-trade clause.
Arenado expressed his feelings to The Athletic regarding the Astros’ decision to trade Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs. He reflected on how this trade made him question the motivation behind such moves by teams. He stated, “That’s the question I asked myself.”
Cardinals’ Season Performance
The Cardinals finished the 2025 season with a disappointing 78-84 record, placing them fourth in the NL Central. This marked their third consecutive year without a playoff appearance, tying their longest postseason drought since 1996. The team hoped for improvement this season, especially with pitchers Erick Fedde and Matthew Liberatore contributing, but the rotation ended up with the sixth-worst ERA in the league.
Arenado’s Openness to Trade
As the season concluded, Arenado indicated he was more receptive to the idea of being traded. He stated, “I think I have to be,” signaling a readiness to explore new opportunities. Discussions regarding his potential trade will involve consultations with his agent and family, likely altering his list of acceptable teams.
Contract and Performance Factors
While trading Arenado presents challenges, including his $31 million contract over the next two years, the Cardinals have shown willingness to cover part of his salary. In previous discussions with the Astros, they considered contributing $15-20 million to facilitate a trade.
Despite a difficult personal season, where Arenado posted career-low numbers—batting .237 with 12 home runs in 107 games—his defensive skills at third base remain elite. He ranked fifth in defensive runs saved among all players with 800 innings at the position.
- Arenado’s Hit Stats:
- Batting Average: .237
- Home Runs: 12
- Games Played: 107
As the offseason progresses, the Cardinals and Arenado’s camp will need to navigate the intricacies of potential trade discussions carefully, particularly to ensure a positive outcome for all parties involved.
