The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a crucial decision regarding their star player, Nolan Arenado. With three years remaining on his $260 million contract, the team is considering trading him to kickstart a rebuild ¹. Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and six-time Platinum Glove winner, has been a key player for the Cardinals since his acquisition in 2021. However, his performance declined slightly in 2024, with a 101 OPS+ being his lowest since 2020 ¹.
The Cardinals’ potential rebuild is motivated by their desire to cut payroll and restructure their roster. Trading Arenado could bring in a significant return, including prospects and young talent ². Several teams, including the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, have been mentioned as potential suitors for Arenado’s services ² ³.
*Potential Trade Destinations:*
– _Boston Red Sox_: The Red Sox have a strong farm system and could offer the Cardinals a lucrative package in exchange for Arenado ².
– _New York Yankees_: The Yankees may be interested in acquiring Arenado if they lose Juan Soto in free agency ³..
*What’s Next for the Cardinals?*
The Cardinals’ decision to trade Arenado will depend on various factors, including his willingness to waive his no-trade clause. If traded, Arenado’s departure would mark a significant shift in the Cardinals’ roster and signal the beginning of their reubuild ¹ ² ³.The 33-year-old was acquired by the Cardinals in a trade with the Colorado Rockies in 2021. Since then he has been a key player for the franchise. With a weak group of infielders in free agency, Arenado could draw a great return.
“But for the Cardinals, trading him now would net the highest return. There aren’t very many infielders that are available in free agency this offseason that can offer what Arenado can,” wrote Pressnell. “The Cardinals would have the advantage of dealing a player better than any option in free agency. This could really drive his price tag up.”
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