St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, confirmed on Monday that he aims to trade eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado this winter. According to Arenado’s agent, Joel Wolfe, the player is open to making a positional switch in order to facilitate a trade to a contender, expressing a desire to win.
Wolfe shared during the winter meetings in Dallas that Arenado is willing to explore various options but is selective about the destination. He stated, “Nolan’s willing to strongly consider it if it’s the right place to go, but he’s not going to go just anywhere.” Arenado, known for his exceptional defensive skills, has won 10 Gold Gloves at third base. However, he’s open to adapting his role, even considering moves to shortstop or first base.
Arenado, who has a distinguished career marked by impressive statistics—inclusive of being a three-time home run champion—has unfortunately not had substantial playoff experience, having played only eight postseason games in his 12-season journey with the Rockies and Cardinals.
The Cardinals acquired Arenado in 2021 during a successful run that included four consecutive playoff appearances. However, they missed the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024, making a trade a rational move for both the player and the team, especially as St. Louis is not seen as a potential contender for next season’s World Series.
Arenado is contracted to receive $74 million over the next three seasons from an eight-year, $260 million extension signed in 2019. His performance last season showed some decline, recording a .272 batting average, 16 home runs, and 71 RBIs—all notably lower numbers for him in a full season since 2014.
At 33, while he may not be at his peak, Arenado still possesses significant value for any contender looking to bolster their infield. The prospect of a trade could provide him the opportunity to compete for a championship, highlighting a hopeful outlook for both Arenado and potential teams interested in his exceptional talent.
In summary, Nolan Arenado’s willingness to adapt his position for a trade reflects a desire to achieve success in the latter stages of his career, and opens new possibilities for both him and the Cardinals this offseason.