Veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado is set to begin the season with the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite having spent four years with the team and two more years remaining on his contract, it seemed doubtful over the winter that he would return for a fifth season.
Throughout the offseason, Arenado was the subject of persistent trade rumors as the Cardinals entered a rebuilding phase aimed at reducing payroll. A potential deal with the Houston Astros was publicly discussed, but Arenado ultimately blocked the trade, and no other offers materialized. As a result, he now starts the season with a team that appeared ready to move on from him.
“It was awkward at first,” Arenado told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I was also at peace knowing I can’t control these things beyond preparing myself for the season. That’s what I focused on. I’m here. I’m happy to be here, and I’m going to give it my all.”
There’s another layer to the story. Arenado struggled last season, posting a .719 OPS — his lowest since his rookie year — and hitting just 16 home runs, far below his career average of over 30 per season. He didn’t want to leave the Cardinals on such a disappointing note.
“Some of the awards I’ve won here are pretty cool, but finishing that way wouldn’t have felt right,” he said. “I’d always regret having that as my final season. That’s what drives me now. I’m excited to have another chance to change that.”
He remains motivated to deliver his best for the Cardinals and their passionate fanbase.
“I’m excited to compete,” Arenado added. “I’m playing in a place where they take pride in good baseball. That’s what I want to give them.”
DJ LeMahieu likes what he sees from his friend and Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado
Arenado is approaching his 34th birthday, so his disappointing performance in 2024 could simply be attributed to an All-Star entering the twilight of his career. That might be true, but New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu, a close friend of Arenado, praised his mindset heading into the 2025 season.
“He seems like he’s in a really good place,” LeMahieu told Goold. “I don’t think last year went the way he wanted, but he looks ready to have a strong season this year. When I talked to him, he wasn’t caught up in all the trade rumors. He just wants to win — really badly. That’s been his focus since the day I met him.”
Despite the Cardinals’ front office leaning toward a future-focused approach, Arenado appears confident that St. Louis can make an impact right now. Their journey begins on Thursday when they host the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day.