With the MLB trade deadline on the horizon, and little over a month away, countless rumors and trade ideas are being floated out in the world. But, one for the St. Louis Cardinals keeps popping up, and it involves trading away Nolan Arenado.
The Cardinals' third baseman has been at the center of trade rumors for some time now, and with the Cardinals approaching the MLB trade deadline in 2025, he's back in trade rumors. This time, things have been heating up.
According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal on Fair Territory, the Cardinals would be open to trading away Arenado, and he also believes the team should be looking at a deal.
"It seems to me it would be possible," Rosenthal said. "The Cardinals have slid back now, they're not quite where they were. Still in the middle of the NL wild-card race, but if you're looking at this realistically, are they going to win the World Series this year? Probably not."
Not only does Rosenthal see an Arenado trade as a possibility, but he also believes it should be done. "They should be looking at an Arenado trade," Rosenthal said. While he wants to see an Arenado deal, he also acknowledges one key issue: a deal for Arenado "depends on the price."
A team acquiring Arenado would have to pick up a lot of his contract, which lasts through the 2027 season. He's making $21 million in 2025, $16 million in 2026, and $15 million in 2027. As he gets older, his contract gets a little cheaper. But that's not the only price Rosenthal was referring to.
An Areando deal would also cost a team decent prospects. Combining the monetary side of things with the prospects needed to give up for Arenado might take a lot of the teams out of the running. Arenado also has a no-trade clause, making moving off him a lot more challenging as well.
While Rosenthal wants to see an Arenado trade and believes the Cardinals should explore one, it might not happen. There are a lot of hurdles needed before Arenado is dealt, and it might be too complicated for a team to pull off, even if they are interested.