The St. Louis Cardinals are open to making major changes after a disappointing season, which could include parting ways with their star player.
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals plan to explore trade interest in third baseman Nolan Arenado. However, Arenado’s contract includes a no-trade clause, so any trade would require his approval. The Cardinals intend to gather enough information in the coming weeks to present him with possible options.
Arenado’s contract presents some challenges, as the 33-year-old has three years left on his deal, along with deferred money from his time with the Colorado Rockies.
An eight-time All-Star and one of the league’s top third basemen, Arenado saw a decline in his offensive stats in 2024, hitting just 16 home runs—his lowest full-season total since his rookie year—though he still maintained a .272 batting average. The decrease in power, however, is concerning.
After finishing with an 83-79 record, the Cardinals appear ready to shake things up, with a potential move away from Arenado signaling a shift toward a younger roster for 2025.