Cardinals running into major roadblock in Nolan Arenado trade talks

Will the St. Louis Cardinals ever trade third baseman Nolan Arenado? It's a fair question to ask at this juncture.

All offseason, the Cardinals have been adamant about their desire to move on from the 33-year-old, who has three seasons left on his nine-year, $275M contract that he signed while still playing for the Colorado Rockies. But spring training is fast approaching, and Arenado and the Cardinals still find themselves together. 

The reason? Simple financials (and some good old-fashioned stubborness). 

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Cardinals simply aren't willing to compromise on the money owed to their 10-time Gold Glove third baseman. This mentality seems to be repelling major Arenado suitors like the Boston Red Sox.

“The Red Sox have yet to bite, not only because of the consequences of such a move — (Rafael) Devers shifting to a near-full-time designated hitter role — but because the Cardinals have not budged enough on the money they’re willing to send with the remaining three years and $64M on Arenado’s contract." 

Of course, money isn't the only sticking point in these trade talks. Arenado did have a down 2024 season compared to his career norms, sporting a .272/.325/.394 triple slash with just 16 home runs and a .719 OPS in 635 plate appearances. But even in a "down" year, the veteran third baseman still clocked in as a slightly above-average player with a 101 OPS+ (100 is considered league average).

It is worth noting that Arenado is still a good defender, though, and that does have value on its own. But the overall body of work is one that indicates a steadily declining player, which doesn't help St. Louis in trade talks. Neither does Arenado's no-trade clause, which he's already used to veto an earlier trade to the Houston Astros. 

However, Arenado seems willing to waive his no-trade to go to a destination he likes, which brings us back to the Cardinals.

Eventually, St. Louis will have to capitulate on money if it is truly motivated to deal its veteran third baseman. Otherwise, the likelihood of these two sides staying married in 2025 would almost certainly increase. And that may not be the happiest of arrangements for either side.