The St. Louis Cardinals are reluctant to pay $21 million to a player who no longer wants to be part of their organization in 2025. Throughout the offseason, they’ve been exploring trade options to move Nolan Arenado, aiming to clear his salary from the books and shift focus toward the future.
With the 2025 season rapidly approaching, it’s becoming increasingly likely that Arenado will begin the year in St. Louis—a scenario that’s far from ideal for both the player and the organization. The Cardinals’ best chance now is to find a team desperate enough to strike a deal before the offseason concludes. Here are three potential trade partners that could fit the bill.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners narrowly missed the playoffs last season, finishing just 3.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West and one game short of a Wild Card spot. Many believe that adding more offensive firepower could be the key to pushing them over the edge, and acquiring Nolan Arenado might be the solution.
Despite coming off one of his least productive offensive seasons, Arenado has still shown flashes of his elite potential. He posted a .272 batting average with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs last season. Arenado has suggested that playing half of his games at the pitcher-friendly Busch Stadium may have impacted his offensive numbers, though his struggles could also be attributed to being part of an underwhelming Cardinals squad. A fresh start in a competitive environment like Seattle might help reignite his bat.
Adding Nolan Arenado to a lineup featuring Julio Rodríguez, JP Crawford, and Randy Arozarena could elevate the Mariners from playoff hopefuls to serious contenders. While Seattle isn’t known for being a hitter-friendly environment, the Mariners’ need for an additional impact bat might outweigh those concerns. With their postseason aspirations in mind, Seattle could be motivated enough to take on Arenado’s contract, providing the Cardinals with the salary relief they’ve been seeking.
Houston Astros
The Mariners may not be the only AL West team eyeing Nolan Arenado. After securing the division title last season, the Houston Astros will be looking to strengthen their roster for another deep postseason run, and Arenado could be a key piece in that pursuit.
For the past nine seasons, Alex Bregman has held down third base for Houston. However, with Bregman now a free agent and all signs pointing to him signing elsewhere, the Astros face the tough challenge of filling that void. While losing Bregman would be a significant blow, acquiring Arenado could potentially be an upgrade, especially if he returns to his All-Star form.
With a World Series title remaining the standard in Houston, it’s hard to imagine the Astros letting a player of Bregman’s caliber walk without aggressively pursuing a top-tier replacement. Arenado fits that mold perfectly, and the Astros might be willing to part with a substantial prospect package to land him. Additionally, Houston’s financial flexibility could allow them to absorb Arenado’s full contract without hesitation, making this a move that aligns with their win-now mentality.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays appeared quiet for much of the offseason, but Ross Atkins has recently shown he had a strategic plan all along. By acquiring outfielder Anthony Santander and future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer, the Blue Jays have made it clear they’re not conceding the AL East to the Yankees, Red Sox, or Orioles.
Adding Nolan Arenado could provide another significant boost to Toronto’s offense. Rumors have swirled about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future with the team, though recent moves suggest the Blue Jays remain committed to competing at a high level, making it hard to believe they’d part with their star first baseman. However, if there’s any truth to those rumors, a blockbuster one-for-one swap involving Guerrero and Arenado could be in play.
If Guerrero stays put, a lineup featuring Bo Bichette, Anthony Santander, Vladdy, George Springer, and Nolan Arenado would instantly become one of the most formidable in the league. This combination of star power and depth could catapult the Blue Jays into serious playoff contention, making them a team to watch in the AL East race.
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