Nolan Arenado trade proves impossible for St. Louis Cardinals

In December 2024, the St. Louis Cardinals are actively seeking to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado. Contractual obligations are a significant concern, as Arenado is under contract for three more seasons with a total of $64 million, with the Colorado Rockies covering $5 million of his salary for the next two years. This financial burden poses a challenge, especially given Arenado's performance decline as he enters his mid-30s. In 2024, he had a notably low slugging percentage of .394 and only managed to hit 16 home runs, raising questions about his value to potential trading partners. Moreover, Arenado has a no-trade clause that adds another layer of difficulty for the Cardinals. When he transferred to St. Louis from the Rockies in 2021, he accepted the trade but negotiated an additional guaranteed year with an opt-out option after the 2022 season, which he did not exercise. There is speculation that he might again ask for financial incentives if he agrees to another trade. Although he has expressed a willingness to transition to first base, which might make him more appealing to other teams, his value is closely linked to his defensive capabilities at third base, where he was once considered the best. With each passing season, Arenado's performance metrics have dwindled, and his defensive prowess no longer stands out as it once did. Even though he remains a three-time home run title holder and a multi-award winner, the realities of aging and a long contract timeline complicate the Cardinals' chances of trading him. The Cardinals may need to absorb even more of his contract to facilitate any trade, echoing the financial considerations that influenced his initial move from Colorado. This situation indicates a potentially rocky road ahead for both Arenado and the Cardinals as they navigate the complexities of player trades in the current baseball climate, especially with such a prominent player in the mix. Ultimately, any potential deal would require mutual agreement on financial arrangements and the willingness of Arenado to accept a new role with a different team. Without clarity on his desires, alongside the Cardinal's ability to negotiate favorable terms, the attempt to trade Arenado remains unsure and quite challenging. Teams looking to acquire him will weigh his past achievements against the recent downturn in his performance and the substantial costs linked to his contract, leading to speculation about the True feasibility of this trade scenario for the Cardinals.