St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Monday that “it is my intention to try” to trade eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado this winter.
Arenado, who has a full no-trade clause, is willing to facilitate a deal and is even willing to change positions if it gets him where he wants to go. That’s according to Arenado’s agent, Joel Wolfe, who spoke to reporters Tuesday at the winter meetings in Dallas.
“Nolan is willing to seriously consider it, if it’s the right place to go, but he’s not going anywhere,” Wolfe said, according to ESPN. Wolfe added that Arenado “wants to win.”
Arenado is a 10-time Gold Glove winner at third base, but he apparently has no qualms about moving even to first base if he’s willing to fulfill his destiny.
“Nolan said, ‘I’ll play shortstop, I’ll do whatever, but I’m not insulted by playing first, and I can win a Gold Glove there,'” Wolfe said.
Arenado is the best defensive third baseman of his generation and has carried an exceptional bat throughout his career. He was a three-time National League home run champion and twice led the National League in runs batted in with the Colorado Rockies. But he has never played for a contender and has played in just eight playoff games over the course of his 12-season career with the Rockies and Cardinals.
The Cardinals acquired Arenado in a trade in 2021 amid a streak of four consecutive postseason appearances. But the Cardinals missed the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, and it makes sense for both sides to reach a deal with St. Louis not projected among next season’s World Series contenders.
Arenado is owes 74 million dollars during the last three seasons of a Extension of eight years and 260 million dollars. he signed with the Rockies in 2019. He also showed signs of decline last season as he hit .272/.325/.391 with 16 home runs and 71 RBI. His home run and RBI totals are the lowest of his career in a COVID-shortened season since 2014.
At 33 years old he is no longer the player he was. But he can certainly offer value to a contender looking to improve his draw.
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