Nolan Arenado: here we go again

Are you ready for another winter of rumors involving Nolan Arenado?

Last year, the Cardinals wanted to trade their veteran third baseman to get younger and save money. They almost succeeded, as an agreement was reached with the Houston Astros.

The player said no, however, to see what his options were. In the end, he wasn't traded at all.

Arenado is no longer the player he once was. Offensively speaking, he can no longer make the difference he once did in his heyday with the Colorado Rockies.

But will a club take a chance on him this winter?

Possibly. And in the meantime, Arenado, like this time last year, is well aware that it's possible he'll be playing his last few miles for the Cards.

Even if he hasn't exactly improved in 2025 compared to 2024, there's still one element that works in his favor (to give him market value): the effect of the passage of time.

With a two-year contract instead of three (at $16 million and $15 million in 2026 and 2027 instead of $21 million in 2025), a club that went after him would be taking less of a risk. It would be easier for a GM to take a chance.

And we say that even though Arenado, who has slowed down, has never played up to his contract. He was a good player in St. Louis, but he wasn't the one to keep the franchise healthy following Yadier Molina's retirement.

Arenado never wanted to leave St. Louis at any cost. He's happy in the city and doesn't want to leave just for the fun of it. This complicates matters for the Cardinals.

This content was created with the help of AI.