The St. Louis Cardinals entered the offseason with the goal of trading third baseman Nolan Arenado. While they held discussions with multiple teams in an effort to move the 10-time Gold Glove winner, they have yet to secure a deal.
Several factors complicate a potential trade. Despite his impressive career, Arenado’s offensive production has declined slightly over the past two seasons. As he approaches his age-34 season in 2025, his contract also includes a no-trade clause, significantly limiting president of baseball operations John Mozeliak’s options in finding a trade partner.
As a result, months of negotiations have led nowhere, and Arenado has reported to Cardinals spring training without any imminent move on the horizon. While the team was once eager to deal the eight-time All-Star, circumstances have shifted.
“Neither Arenado nor John Mozeliak has completely ruled out a trade, but nothing seems likely at this point. We know Nolan provided Mozeliak with a list of five teams he would consider, and he’s not expanding that list. Among those teams—the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, and Padres—none seem to be an ideal fit right now. So, everyone remains in limbo,” The Athletic’s Katie Woo said on Foul Territory via X.
Will Nolan Arenado remain with the Cardinals for the 2025 season?
At one stage, the Red Sox looked like a serious contender to land Arenado. However, after signing Alex Bregman—who is expected to play second base alongside third baseman Rafael Devers—Boston is no longer in the mix.
The Yankees also appeared to be a viable option, given their need at third base and the recent signing of Arenado’s former teammate Paul Goldschmidt. When New York missed out on Bregman, Arenado seemed like a logical backup plan. However, as time passes, a deal with the Yankees appears increasingly unlikely.
San Diego also doesn’t seem like a match, with Manny Machado entrenched at third base. Meanwhile, the Dodgers—typically aggressive in acquiring star talent—have shown little interest in Arenado. Despite his credentials, demand for the veteran infielder remains surprisingly low, making it more probable that he stays in St. Louis.
“The Cardinals can proceed as usual. They’ll continue to explore trade opportunities occasionally, but for now, they’re committed to keeping a 10-time Gold Glove winner at third base—certainly not a bad asset to have,” Woo added.