Cardinals president drops stern take on Nolan Arenado trade buzz
One of the last major moves St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak will likely ever make is finding a suitable trade package for veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado. The longtime executive is set to step down at the end of the 2025 MLB season and hand over the reins to Chaim Bloom, but before he goes, the 2011 World Series champion presumably wants to better position the franchise for the future.
Dealing Arenado for viable talent is a possible way to inch closer to that objective. The eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner (six platinum) holds considerable leverage, though, as he possesses a no-trade clause in his contract. He used that power to shut down the Houston Astros’ December pursuit, but that very team is said to have reignited talks with the Cardinals.
Since spring training games are now underway and Opening Day is fast approaching, Arenado might have no choice other than to entertain Houston as an option if he indeed wishes to play elsewhere for the upcoming campaign. Mozeliak believes there are still plenty of hurdles to clear before any potential Arenado trade is completed.
“I don’t feel anything is imminent,” he said, per Katie Woo of The Athletic. “I can’t comment or chase every rumor.” Cardinals fans are running out of patience. They are desperate for a resolution, one way or another. There are other matters to address, and until the Nolan Arenado situation concludes, the ballclub will remain in a state of limbo.
