Featured Columnist IVDecember 11, 2024
Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures
There are reportedly loads of groups St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado would settle for a commerce to this offseason.
John Denton of MLB.com reported Tuesday that the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels are all “on his want record.” What’s extra, he would additionally “settle for” being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Boston Pink Sox.
That is essential as a result of the veteran has a full no-trade clause on his contract and must approve of any transfer.
Denton defined the Cardinals want to commerce Arenado “to minimize their monetary tasks over the subsequent three years and create extra infield taking part in time alternatives for Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman and Thomas Saggese.”
Arenado is about to make $74 million over the subsequent three seasons, so the eventual commerce will permit St. Louis to speed up a possible rebuild and create extra monetary flexibility. And it’ll assist the eight-time All-Star compete for his first World Collection, because the Cardinals are coming off two straight playoff-less seasons.
“He does not have the power to experience it out and simply be OK with [losing],” agent Joel Wolfe stated whereas additionally revealing Arenado could be keen to modify positions if wanted. “It is like his organic clock is ticking and if the workforce’s not successful, it is driving him loopy—each day, each night time and all by way of the offseason—and he takes it so private and [acts] prefer it’s all on him.”
The Dodgers, Padres, Phillies and Mets all soar out as clear World Collection contenders, particularly after the latter added Juan Soto this offseason. That may be fairly the one-two punch within the lineup as New York makes an attempt to take the subsequent step within the Nationwide League East.
That may be much more of the case if the 33-year-old can bounce again some from an offensive perspective.
He’s an eight-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger and 10-time Gold Glover, however he wasn’t fairly as efficient in 2024 whereas slashing .272/.325/.394 with 16 dwelling runs and 71 RBI in 152 video games.
Maybe taking part in in a loaded lineup that might supply him extra safety would assist Arenado return to the height manufacturing he is not far faraway from, and the Cardinals cannot supply as a lot of that as among the groups on his want record.
With the Soto free company now resolved, there will probably be much more consideration on Arenado because the offseason dominoes proceed to fall. And there are apparently plenty of groups that also have an opportunity at touchdown him.
