2:24PM: In a follow-up message from Olney on X, he hears from rival executives that the Cardinals will in all probability must cowl a few of Arenado’s wage or take again one other unfavorable contract as a wage offset. As a hypothetical, Olney means that if the Dodgers needed Arenado, Chris Taylor and the $17MM remaining on his contract may very well be provided again to St. Louis to assist cowl the monetary distinction. It isn’t recognized whether or not or not the Cardinals can be open to consuming cash or taking an undesirable contract again, which may very well be an extra impediment in the direction of a commerce being accomplished.
2:04PM: Current feedback from president of baseball operations John Mozeliak point out that the Cardinals is probably not completely viewing 2025 as a rebuild yr, although the crew has already made some strikes with a watch in the direction of lowering payroll. Buying and selling Nolan Arenado will surely be simply in regards to the largest transfer St. Louis might make in that effort to get youthful and cheaper, although past simply the $74MM in owed wage, shifting Arenado is troublesome resulting from his no-trade clause.
To that finish, ESPN’s Buster Olney (X hyperlink) writes that Arenado has “a really restricted record of…most well-liked groups” for potential trades. This in flip has left the Cardinals with out a ton of leverage to find a perfect commerce match that will assist the Playing cards recoup one thing past simply wage aid for the All-Star third baseman.
Earlier studies with regard to Arenado this offseason indicated that he hasn’t instantly requested for a commerce, however he can be prepared to maneuver to first base if such a defensive change is a greater match for a brand new crew. These two objects symbolize the difficult nature of those commerce talks, as Arenado is seemingly able to be very versatile and accommodating of a commerce, however solely to some golf equipment. It isn’t recognized precisely what number of groups Arenado is prepared to waive his no-trade safety to hitch, or what number of of these groups have their very own curiosity in Arenado as a commerce candidate.
It’s attainable that the Arenado scenario might need knowledgeable Mozeliak’s feedback in regards to the group having “each intention of fielding a very good baseball crew” in 2025. Willson Contreras has already let the Playing cards know he isn’t waiving his no-trade safety, and so St. Louis nonetheless needed extra time for Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages at catcher, the pivot transfer was putting in Contreras as the crew’s new common first baseman. Sonny Grey additionally has a no-trade clause that he reportedly isn’t eager on waiving, complicating the Cardinals’ efforts to maneuver on from the final two years of Grey’s contract.
If buying and selling Arenado can also be going to be unfeasible resulting from a slim market, the Cardinals may’ve determined towards completely punting on the 2025 season. Pending free agent Ryan Helsley now appears to be a less-likely commerce candidate, additional indicating that St. Louis may try to rebuild on the fly whereas nonetheless competing within the NL Central. After all, Mozeliak’s stance on Helsley is also gamesmanship to drive up gives, and it’s nonetheless early sufficient within the offseason that the Playing cards may once more change lanes relying on how the commerce and free agent markets develop within the subsequent few months.
For example, the third base market might be altered as soon as Alex Bregman and (within the occasion of a place change) Willy Adames signal their subsequent contracts. The Phillies are additionally recognized to be procuring Alec Bohm, giving third-base needy groups another choice. None of this may actually change issues if Arenado merely isn’t prepared to broaden his record past that “very restricted” quantity, however a brand new crew immediately having a necessity at third base might maybe persuade Arenado in any other case.