St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak indicated on Monday that he intends to trade Nolan Arenado, an eight-time All-Star third baseman, during the offseason. Arenado’s agent, Joel Wolfe, revealed on Tuesday that the player is open to facilitating a trade and is even willing to transition to a different position if it helps him join a contending team.
Wolfe emphasized that while Arenado is ready to consider a position change, he is particular about his destination and aims to be part of a winning team. He stated, “Nolan was like, ‘I’ll play shortstop. I’ll do whatever, but I’m not insulted to go play first, and I can win a Gold Glove over there.’”
Despite being known as one of the best defensive third basemen of his era, Arenado has faced challenges in his career, having only participated in eight playoff games over twelve seasons with the Colorado Rockies and the Cardinals. After the Cardinals’ missed playoffs in 2023, parting ways with Arenado seems practical for both parties, especially as St. Louis is not expected to contend for the World Series next season.
Arenado, who has three years left on his $260 million extension signed in 2019, has a total of $74 million remaining. However, he displayed signs of decline last season, with career-low numbers in home runs and runs batted in during a full season since 2014. At 33 years old, he may not perform at his previous level, but he still holds significant value for teams looking to enhance their infield.
This situation presents an opportunity for Arenado to find a new path in his career, potentially leading to postseason success that has eluded him thus far. By being adaptable and open to change, he maintains a positive outlook that could inspire other players facing similar transitions.
In summary, Nolan Arenado is willing to discuss a trade from the Cardinals, showing flexibility with position changes to reach a contending team, offering hope for both his career and potential suitors who want to enhance their rosters for playoff success.