The Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals were in talks on a potential trade involving third baseman Nolan Arenado, but Arenado informed the Cardinals that he will not waive his no-trade clause to go to the Astros. The Cardinals were set to sent $15-20 million to the Astros in the deal to pay down Arenado's salary, as the eight-time All-Star will earn $74 million in the next three years. "It's definitely not close," a source said. As Arenado's offensive prowess continues to decline, the Cardinals have already acknowledged its "intention to try" to trade the defensive whiz as they look to get younger going into 2025. It's unclear exactly which teams Arenado would approve a trade to, but his agent, Joel Wolfe, said last week that his client would waive his no-trade clause to play for a team he thinks is ready to win now. The Phillies, Yankees, Mets and Red Sox could be in play.
The Houston Astros have emerged as a serious suitor for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, according to multiple league sources. No deal is believed to be imminent, but talks between the two clubs have increased since this week's winter meetings started. The Cardinals have already acknowledged they are trying to trade Arenado, and the Astros' interest in the clearest sign that they aren't planning to re-sign Alex Bregman this offseason. Arenado has a no-trade clause, though, and it's unclear if he'd waive it to join Houston. The veteran third baseman is owed $74 million across the next three years. The 33-year-old is a 10-time Gold Glove winner and an eight-time All-Star. While his defense is still top notch, he continues to dip offensively, as he had a 101 OPS+ with only 16 homers in 2024.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB Network, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado would approve of a trade to the New York Yankees. While the Yankees were not on Arenado's six-team wish list, a source told Feinsand that the former Gold Glover would approve of a trade to New York. The Yankees have been rumored to be in the market for a third baseman this offseason, including free agent Alex Bregman. Acquiring a new third baseman, would allow Jazz Chisholm Jr. to shift primarily to the keystone. Arenado saw his power production drop last season, posting a career-low .394 SLG and hitting just 16 home runs. However, he did still hold a strong .272 AVG. If Arenado is traded to the Yankees, fantasy managers should expect him to have prime RBI opportunities batting in a competitive lineup.
Nolan Arenado Would Green Light Trades To Six Teams
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak recently acknowledged that the team was interested in trading third baseman Nolan Arenado, but with Arenado's full no-trade clause in his contract, the 10-tim Gold Glover would have to approve of any trade. The 33-year-old already has said he would be willing to switch to first base if needed, but now the veteran has reportedly whittled down the list of teams he would rubber-stamp a trade to down to six -- the Dodgers, Padres, Angels, Phillies, Mets, and Red Sox. Perhaps the Phillies and Red Sox make the most sense on that list, but only time will tell. The eight-time All-Star can still play terrific defense, but his offensive numbers have been heading south in St. Louis over the last couple of years. Last season, he hit just 16 home runs and posted a 102 wRC+, both the lowest outputs since his rookie season in 2013 (excluding 2020). If there is some optimism on the offensive side of things, the likely future Hall of Famer's contact rate was near a career-high (84.4%), and his strikeout rate fell two percentage points over the prior season to a well-below-average 14.5%, so he can still put the bat on the ball.
Cardinals Acknowledge Interest In Trading Nolan Arenado
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak acknowledged at this week's winter meetings that the team is interested in trading third baseman Nolan Arenado this offseason. "Ultimately, he's not demanding a trade. He's not telling me I have to do it," Mozeliak said. "But I think in the best interest of both sides, I'd like to find him someplace." However, Arenado has a limited list of teams the Cardinals can trade him to as they look to prioritize playing time for their younger players in 2025. Arenado, though, is open to the idea of joining a contender and is even willing to shift to first base to facilitate a deal. The 34-year-old eight-time All-Star is still one of the best defensive third baseman in the game, but he had a career-worst .719 OPS with 16 homers and 71 RBI in his fourth year in St. Louis. Arenado has been trending down offensively the last three years, but a change of scenery could be good for him.
Cardinals Have Limited Options For Nolan Arenado Trade
ESPN's Buster Olney writes that the St. Louis Cardinals are working from a limited list of options of third baseman Nolan Arenado's preferred teams as they consider their trade possibilities for the future Hall of Famer. The Cardinals are shifting their plans this offseason with an eye more toward the future while playing most of their youngsters in 2025, so the 33-year-old Arenado is being shopped this winter. Even though he's still one of the best defensive third basemen in the game, Arenado is willing to shift to first base in 2025 to create more roster flexibility for a contending team that might be interesting in acquiring him. Some teams that could make sense for Arenado include the Red Sox, Dodgers, Astros, Yankees, Mariners and Blue Jays. Offensively, Arenado has been on the decline since he came to St. Louis, and he had just 16 homers in 2024. In addition, he had career-worst marks in average exit velocity (86.3 mph), hard-hit rate (31.6%) and barrel rate (3.2%).
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is willing to play first base or less third base to create roster flexibility for a potential new team as the Cardinals contemplate trading him this offseason, according to league sources briefed on the situation. A few teams have expressed interest in Arenado, and talks are likely to intensify with the annual winter meetings approaching in early December. There is growing sense in the industry that the 33-year-old eight-time All-Star will be moved. Arenado has not demanded a trade but was open to the idea when approached by president of baseball operations John Mozeliak as the team shifts its focus to developing their young players in 2025. Arenado will turn 34 in April and has shown signs of offensive decline the last two seasons. However, his defense remains superior. Per sources, Arenado will only waive his full no-trade clause to play for a contender.
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado could be on the trade block, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Arenado is currently under a $74 million dollar contract for the next three seasons. However, after missing the postseason in each of the past two seasons, the Cardinals could be interested in moving off his contract. This past summer, the third baseman saw his power production drop to his second-lowest marks through a full 162-game season. He hit just 16 round-trippers, his lowest since his rookie campaign in 2013. In addition, he held a .272/.325/.394 slash line and swiped two bases. Under the hood, he posted a poor 31.6% hard-hit rate, which was evident in his drop in power. Fantasy managers should still view Arenado as a reliable third baseman for batting-average production but not for power in 2025.
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is not in Saturday's lineup as the Cardinals continue a series against the San Francisco Giants. Arenado got a day off on Thursday and will now get his second rest day of the week. Throughout his past 11 games, the 33-year-old has carried a strong .357/.404/.405 line with two doubles and five RBI. As a result, 22-year-old Thomas Saggese will get the nod at the hot corner and bat in the seven-hole. Arenado has enjoyed another solid campaign holding a .277/.325/.394 line with 16 home runs and two stolen bases. Saggese is worth a look in DFS this afternoon as he will face San Francisco right-hander Tristian Beck who should not be expected to last long in this start as he typically only logs two innings in each outing.
Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan Absent Against Rockies
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado and infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan will both retreat to the bench for Thursday's series finale at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies. Jose Fermin is handling the hot corner and batting eighth, while rookie Thomas Saggese starts at second base and is hitting sixth against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland. Neither Fermin nor Saggese have ever faced Freeland in their careers. Donovan will get the day off after starting in each of the team's last 12 games. Fermin has done little at the plate in 63 at-bats this year, going 9-for-63 (.143) with no homers, three RBI and two stolen bases. Saggese, meanwhile, was recently called up for the first time and has gone 8-for-38 (.211) with a homer, two doubles and four RBI in his first 14 major-league games for the Red Birds.
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