The Uncertain Future of Nolan Arenado: A Look at the Cardinals’ Options
Nolan Arenado’s decision to exercise his no-trade clause to block a proposed trade from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Houston Astros has left the team’s fans and management in a precarious position. With the Astros no longer in the picture, the Cardinals are still looking for a suitable trade partner for the veteran third baseman. However, finding a deal that works for both parties has proven to be a challenge.
One of the primary obstacles is the significant remaining salary on Arenado’s contract, with $740,000 owed over the final three years. The Rockies will pay him $100,000 of this amount, but the Cardinals are eager to eliminate the rest from their payroll. This has limited the number of potential suitors, as few teams have the necessary cap space to take on Arenado’s salary.
Despite this, Arenado has reportedly expressed a willingness to change his stance on potential trade destinations. His agent, Joel Wolff, has suggested that he could be open to a deal with the Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, or Padres. However, this list seems somewhat shaky, and it’s unclear which of these teams are actually interested in acquiring the third baseman.
In fact, Arenado was initially interested in the Astros, but invoked his no-trade clause when he was hesitant to join the team. However, the door to a potential trade isn’t completely closed, as the Cardinals are willing to reconsider the Astros once the market for Arenado further develops. Specifically, this could happen if Alex Bregman signs with another team, potentially freeing up the Astros to revisit a trade for Arenado.
The Astros ultimately signed Christian Walker to be their new everyday first baseman, pushing Isaac Paredes to become the new regular third baseman. Bregman is still generating plenty of interest, with several teams reportedly in on him, including the Tigers, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Phillies, and Mets. The overlap between Bregman’s market and Arenado’s reported list of trade preferences could spark a firestorm of activity for teams interested in re-entering trade talks with the Cardinals.
If the Cardinals are unable to trade Arenado, they could simply bring him back for next season and explore a trade later. However, retaining him would not solve their desire to cut payroll, so trading one of their starting pitchers could be a more viable option. Sonny Gray has already expressed a desire to maintain his no-trade protection, but the Cardinals may be willing to trade Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz, or Eric Fedde to save some money.
Mikolas and Matz are both arbitration-eligible and could be traded with or without an Arenado deal. However, the Cardinals would prefer to keep Fedde until closer to the trade deadline. Ultimately, the Cardinals’ ability to trade Arenado will depend on their ability to find a suitable trade partner willing to take on his significant salary.
FAQ:
Q: Why did Nolan Arenado invoke his no-trade clause?
A: Arenado invoked his no-trade clause to block a proposed trade from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Houston Astros.
Q: What is the primary obstacle to trading Nolan Arenado?
A: The significant remaining salary on Arenado’s contract, with $740,000 owed over the final three years.
Q: Is it possible for the Cardinals to bring back Nolan Arenado for next season?
A: Yes, if the Cardinals are unable to trade Arenado, they could simply bring him back for next season and explore a trade later.
Q: Who are some potential trade destinations for Nolan Arenado?
A: Arenado has reportedly expressed a willingness to change his stance on potential trade destinations, and could be open to a deal with the Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, or Padres.
Conclusion:
Nolan Arenado’s decision to exercise his no-trade clause has left the St. Louis Cardinals in a difficult position. With few teams willing to take on his significant salary, the team is struggling to find a suitable trade partner. However, the overlap between Bregman’s market and Arenado’s reported list of trade preferences could spark a firestorm of activity for teams interested in re-entering trade talks with the Cardinals. Ultimately, the team’s ability to trade Arenado will depend on their ability to find a suitable trade partner willing to take on his salary.
