In an emotional farewell at Busch Stadium on Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals made a notable lineup change by briefly inserting veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado, only to retract him before the game’s start. This gesture allowed the eager home crowd to give Arenado a resounding ovation, acknowledging what might be his final home appearance as a Cardinal.
At 34 years old, Arenado’s future with the team remains uncertain. The Cardinals are in a period of transition, directing their focus on rejuvenating the roster with younger talent during the upcoming offseason. Arenado, who still has two years and $32 million left on his contract with $5 million of that covered by the Rockies, has encountered a challenging season. With a batting line of .236/.292/.365, 10 home runs, 49 RBI, and a 1.0 WAR, his performance has fallen short of previous years. The Cardinals had negotiated a potential trade to the Houston Astros in the last offseason, but Arenado vetoed the move using his contractual rights.
Reflecting on his current situation, Arenado expressed mixed emotions. “This could be the last time playing at home,” he shared, underscoring his desire to leave a memorable impression through strong performances on the field.
With John Mozeliak set to retire as president of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom will soon take over those responsibilities. Bloom could explore similar avenues as Mozeliak to trade Arenado, but releasing him and absorbing the financial impact remains a possibility, given the organization’s focus on the future. Arenado’s tenure with the Cardinals, beginning with a trade from the Rockies in 2021, has certainly had its highlights. In five seasons, he’s achieved a .266 batting average, 116 home runs, and earned prestigious accolades, including three All-Star appearances and two Gold Gloves. However, the Cardinals only made two playoff appearances during his stay, with both ending in early exits.
While the Cardinals still have a mathematical chance at postseason play this year, it would require an extraordinary set of favorable outcomes. Thus, Arenado’s heartwarming ovation on Sunday may indeed serve as a farewell from the home crowd, marking the conclusion of his significant chapter with the Cardinals.