Cardinals' Nolan Arenado Open to Trade, Willing to Switch Positions

In a significant development, the agent for Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado revealed that there are ongoing discussions with the St. Louis front office regarding a potential trade for the eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. Arenado, 33, is reportedly open to switching positions to facilitate a deal, as the Cardinals enter a transition phase and are unlikely to compete for a playoff spot in 2025.


"Nolan wants to win, and there's more details, but that's really between them and I don't want to have any effect on what [Cardinals president of baseball operations John] Mozeliak is trying to do," said Arenado's agent, Joel Wolfe, at the winter meetings. "Nolan's willing to strongly consider it, if it's the right place to go, but he's not going to go just anywhere."


With a full no-trade clause, Arenado has the right to approve or decline any trade. "He has a full no-trade clause, so he has that right, and he's a veteran player and we hope something good happens, but he's not going to approve and move his family and go play (just anywhere)," Wolfe added. To help the trade process, Arenado has even offered to play first base, showing his willingness to adapt for the right opportunity.


One of the teams interested in Arenado is the New York Yankees, who could play him at third base by moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second, assuming free agent Gleyber Torres doesn't re-sign. Despite hitting just 16 home runs in 2024, his lowest total since his rookie year in 2013, Arenado remains a valuable asset. He is owed $74 million over the final three years of his contract.


"Nolan was like, 'I'll play shortstop, I'll do whatever, but I'm not insulted to go play first, and I can win a Gold Glove over there,'" Wolfe mentioned, emphasizing Arenado's flexibility and team-first attitude.