With the MLB trade deadline eight days away, the St. Louis Cardinals are in the thick of a heated Wild Card race in the National League. The Cardinals are currently 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot with a 52-50 record on the season.
The Cardinals are considering several moves at the deadline, and rumors have been circulating surrounding third baseman Nolan Arenado. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak gave an update on Arenado’s future and mentioned he is part of St. Louis' long-term future, according to MLB.com’s John Denton. Mozeliak has been in discussion with Arenado about his future with the Cardinals and what’s the best way forward for both parties.
“I will. I haven’t, but that’s something we will have a good understanding of as we enter that final week (before the trade deadline),” Mozeliak said of asking Arenado about his wishes to either stay in St. Louis or be traded. “Right now, I would envision him being a part of this in the future, but if something were to pop up, I would discuss it with him.”
Arenado has played the last five seasons with Cardinals after over eight with the Colorado Rockies, where he was at the height of his career. This season with the Cardinals, Arenado has recorded 43 RBIs and 10 home runs with a .244 batting average. He also has an OPS of .686.
Despite his aging talent, Arenado has still had a significant impact on the Cardinals as a veteran leader with the third-most home runs on the team. While there is no harm in trading away Arenado, the Cardinals would benefit from keeping a veteran leader like him in their clubhouse.