 As the trade market for Nolan Arenado continues to heat up, the no-trade clause in his contract gives him significant control over his potential move from the St. Louis Cardinals. According to MLB.com’s John Denton, Arenado would approve a trade to the Angels, Dodgers, Padres, Phillies, Mets, or Red Sox. It's unclear if these are the only teams on Arenado's "wish list," or if he would be open to other clubs under the right conditions.
During the Winter Meetings, Arenado’s agent, Joel Wolfe, discussed his client's situation with reporters, including Denton, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Wolfe suggested that Arenado's list of potential teams is more extensive than it might seem. The main criterion for Arenado is finding "a team that he thinks is going to win now and consistently for the remainder of his career. He wants a team that has the throttle down...that he believes he can jump right in and they’re going to win right now." Wolfe emphasized that Arenado is not interested in moving just for the sake of it. He stated, "Nolan's not going to go just to go," and "he's not going to approve and move his family and go play somewhere that would...sidestepping" into a situation no better than his current one in St. Louis. Wolfe also mentioned that he and Arenado have been in regular contact with Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, who has suggested some teams that have already been ruled out by Arenado as "hard no’s."
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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.  Rebuilding a team to positively alter the direction of a franchise and offer hope for better tomorrows often requires making tough decisions and enduring some growing pains along the way.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak highlighted this reality from his Dallas hotel suite on Monday night. Mozeliak announced his intention to trade 10-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado and emphasized that not doing so this winter could limit the Cardinals' chances of coming out improved on the other side of what he termed a "reset" for 2025. "It’s my intention to try," Mozeliak stated when asked about trading the 33-year-old third baseman, whom the Cardinals acquired from the Rockies before the 2021 season. He expressed optimism that both parties will remain happy somehow, but he also acknowledged that keeping Arenado might not align with the team's financial and competitive goals. "From a financial standpoint, trying to move our payroll—there are certainly other ways to do that, but [trading Arenado] would be a big help. It’s financial, but it also creates a runway for someone else," Mozeliak explained. He noted that the decision to trade Arenado is not taken lightly and that Arenado is not demanding a trade. Instead, Mozeliak believes it is in the best interests of both sides to explore potential trade opportunities. "In this industry, change happens often. I understand change for some people can feel like anxiety, scary and disruptive, but sometimes it can be for the better. It’s how you embrace it and adjust," Mozeliak added.  The St. Louis Cardinals' strategy for the 2025 season has been evolving, as reports suggested the team was aiming for a reset year with a focus on player development and a reduced payroll. This led to speculation that several veteran players might be traded. However, recent discussions indicate a slight shift in expectations.
John Mozeliak, the president of baseball operations, clarified the team's intentions during an interview with Katie Woo of The Athletic. “We have every intention of fielding a good baseball team,” Mozeliak stated. “It’s going to have a different profile, but we still have a lot of belief that some of our younger players will take that next step forward. We’re excited about what we have. Now, it is Dec. 5, and things can happen and things can change. But we’re still going into (next season) with optimism that it’ll be a fun baseball team to watch.” The Cardinals plan to walk a fine line between development and competitiveness. While they intend to reduce spending, it may not be as drastic as initially anticipated. Current projections from RosterResource show the team about $35 million below last year’s payroll. This suggests that instead of making significant player moves, the Cardinals might simply refrain from aggressive signings. The approach appears to be a middle ground between rebuilding and contending. The team aims to give more playing time to less proven players, hoping for internal growth. Key players expected to get extensive auditions include Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, Alec Burleson, Moisés Gómez, and Iván Herrera. Notably, Gorman, who was optioned to the minors last season, will have another chance to prove himself. Mozeliak's earlier comments highlighted the importance of consistent production. “Obviously, it’s a game of production up here and at some point, you’ve got to consistently produce, or we have to find someone who can,” Mozeliak said in August. “I mean, that’s what it ultimately comes down to, and these are hard messages to hear. It can be frustrating, but this is what ends up defining you. With our offensive struggles this year, I think you can strictly look at the inability for consistent performance, day in and day out.” As the Cardinals navigate their strategy for 2025, the balance between developing young talent and maintaining competitiveness will be key. Fans can expect a team that prioritizes growth while still aiming to put a strong product on the field.  As the St. Louis Cardinals gear up for a transition to a younger core next season, several players have emerged as potential trade candidates. Chief among them is Ryan Helsley, the team's hard-throwing right-handed closer who is just one year away from free agency. Helsley, known as one of the premier relievers in baseball, is expected to attract significant attention on the trade market.
Despite this, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that teams in contact with the Cardinals anticipate that St. Louis will hold onto their star closer into next season. This sentiment was echoed by the Cardinals' president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak. “(A trade is) something we will always remain open-minded to, but our plan is to have him be part of our organization,” Mozeliak told Rosenthal. This aligns with Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who reported last month that the Cardinals would keep Helsley unless overwhelmed by an offer. While this stance stops short of entirely removing Helsley from the trade market, it is a clear signal that the Cardinals' front office is inclined to retain him. This is in contrast to more definitive statements from other teams, such as A’s GM David Forst, who recently declared that designated hitter Brent Rooker would not be traded. Helsley has been a dominant force in the Cardinals' bullpen over the past three years. He burst onto the scene with a stellar 1.25 ERA over 64 2/3 innings in 2022. Although a forearm strain sidelined him for a few months in the 2023 season, he still managed a 2.45 ERA across 36 2/3 innings when he returned to the mound. This year, Helsley enjoyed a fully healthy season, posting a career-best 2.04 ERA over 66 1/3 innings in 65 appearances. Given his impressive track record and the Cardinals' current outlook, retaining Helsley could provide stability and experience to a transitioning roster. As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Cardinals navigate trade discussions while balancing their need to develop a younger core with the value Helsley brings to their bullpen. The St. Louis Cardinals have initiated a major revamp of their player development department, announcing key new appointments. Larry Day has been brought on as the new farm director from the Cleveland Guardians, Carl Kochan as the director of performance from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Matt Pierpont as the director of pitching from the Seattle Mariners. This strategic reshuffle, driven by Assistant General Manager Rob Cerfolio, aims to enhance the Cardinals' minor league operations following a lackluster season. These hires are part of a broader initiative to infuse fresh expertise and innovative methodologies into the player development program, underscoring the Cardinals' commitment to future success.
 On Sunday, Nolan Arenado sent baseball fans into a frenzy with an Instagram post featuring Kendrick Lamar's song "Dodger Blue." The eight-time All-Star and Southern California native is reportedly on the trade block, leading to speculation that he might be wearing Dodger Blue next season.
However, MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi mentioned on Tuesday that while the post was "interesting," he considers the Dodgers to be "somewhere on the periphery" of potential landing spots for Arenado. Morosi highlighted three teams that seem to be more likely suitors: the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and Detroit Tigers. The Red Sox could create a spot for Arenado by moving Rafael Devers to first base. Meanwhile, the Padres might be interested if they trade infielder Luis Arraez. The Tigers, who are looking for right-handed bats, have also been linked to free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.  As the St. Louis Cardinals look to trim payroll and shift focus towards younger players for the 2025 season, trading some of their higher-paid veterans has been a widely expected strategy. However, it appears unlikely that Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray will be traded, as they are unwilling to waive their no-trade clauses.
Nolan Arenado's Trade Possibility Third baseman Nolan Arenado, however, is seemingly open to a trade, although he also has a no-trade clause that would require his approval for any deal. This leaves the Cardinals with limited flexibility in moving their more expensive players. Potential Moves for Steven Matz and Ryan Helsley One veteran player without trade protection is left-handed pitcher Steven Matz. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals plan to "field interest" on both Matz and closer Ryan Helsley this winter.
Matz's Performance and Challenges Despite the Cardinals’ interest in moving Matz, doing so might not be easy. Since joining St. Louis before the 2022 season, Matz has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, managing just 197 1/3 innings over 52 appearances (34 starts, 18 bullpen outings). His overall performance has been roughly league average, with a 4.47 ERA (95 ERA+), a 4.01 FIP, and a 21.9% strikeout rate. Most of Matz’s solid work came during a mostly-healthy 2023 season, where he posted a 3.84 ERA (114 ERA+) and a 3.75 FIP in 105 innings. However, this was sandwiched between two less impressive seasons with ERAs over 5.00. In 2024, Matz recorded a 5.08 ERA with a 4.88 FIP in 44 1/3 innings, a 17.4% strikeout rate, and his worst walk rate since 2018 at 7.9%. Financial Impact and Future Moves The potential trade of Matz would significantly impact the Cardinals’ payroll, reducing it to a more manageable level and allowing for investment in player development. This financial flexibility could also facilitate bringing in new talent, such as a reunion with veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson or another pitching acquisition. The Cardinals' strategy this offseason will be pivotal in shaping their 2025 roster and their ability to compete. Whether or not they can successfully move Matz and make other strategic adjustments remains to be seen.  The St. Louis Cardinals are actively exploring the trade market for their star third baseman, Nolan Arenado. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, multiple teams have expressed interest, although no substantive progress has been made yet. There is a growing sense throughout the industry that the 33-year-old will eventually be dealt, with discussions expected to intensify as the Winter Meetings approach.
Arenado's Flexibility Arenado is reportedly open to playing more at first base to create roster flexibility for a potential new team. However, it is believed that he would only waive his full no-trade clause to join a club set up to contend for multiple seasons. Performance and Value Although Arenado is coming off a down season with the bat, hitting 16 homers with a 101 OPS+, he still managed to contribute 3.1 WAR (according to FanGraphs) due to his outstanding defense at third base. This blend of solid defense and offensive potential makes him a valuable asset. Comparison to Free Agents Arenado presents an attractive alternative to the top third-base options on the free-agent market, such as Alex Bregman and Willy Adames. Both Bregman and Adames are expected to command nine-figure deals and come with Draft compensation after declining a qualifying offer. Arenado, on the other hand, has three years and $74 million left on his contract, with $10 million of that paid by the Rockies. |