ST. LOUIS — With Busch Stadium empty like never before and the Cardinals’ locker room filled with unanswered questions, Nolan Arenado has finally broken his silence. The star 3B, once considered an integral part of the championship dream, has spoken candidly about his future as trade rumors and even a buyout scenario continue to swirl.
“I’m a player, and I’m a Cardinal, until someone tells me otherwise,” Arenado told the media after his most recent practice. “I’ve heard a lot of talk, but I can’t control anything other than going out there and fighting.”
The statement comes just days after Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom admitted that the Cardinals “can’t get rid of Arenado in a sell-off,” but left open the possibility of a blockbuster trade. Multiple sources say the list of teams Arenado would be willing to waive his no-trade clause has expanded to include the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Padres, and Astros.
Arenado recently returned to the lineup after missing nearly 40 games with a shoulder injury. While his offensive output has declined significantly this season—with career-low numbers—he still made a mark by passing Scott Rolen for second all-time in home runs by a Cardinals 3B. A legacy that will not be easily erased.
Arenado’s return can’t hide the harsh reality: Busch Stadium attendance has plummeted, team morale has been shaken, and the futures of several key players remain uncertain. “The Cardinals are at a crossroads,” a writer from St. Louis wrote. “Keeping Arenado would be a short-term attempt to revive the team, but trading him could open a chapter of rebuilding,” the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said.
Arenado, meanwhile, remained calm, but behind his eyes was a look of exhaustion. “I always want to win here,” he admitted. “But I also understand baseball is a business. No matter what happens, I want to be remembered as someone who gave his all for St. Louis.”
The story of Nolan Arenado’s future is hotter than ever. Will the Cardinals bet on this icon again, or will they be forced to sacrifice him to usher in a new era? Busch Stadium awaits the answer… but it may come in a way no one expects.
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