ST. LOUIS — In a shocking turn for St. Louis Cardinals fans, Nolan Arenado, who holds a massive $260 million contract, is considered one of the hottest trade chips this winter — and multiple sources say the Cardinals are seriously considering letting go of the multi-time Gold Glove winner.
Arenado, once again being named as a top target by multiple teams, has both the press and fans in a tizzy. An inside source says that Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has not hesitated to express his desire to trade Arenado to free up payroll and restructure the roster.
Arenado still has three years left on his contract, and according to Bleacher Report, the amount of money the Cardinals would “lose” if they were to trade him would be huge — from $16 million in 2026 to $15 million in 2027.
In addition, the ability to trade is limited by Arenado’s “no-trade clause” — which makes negotiations much more complicated.
However, Arenado’s trade value is still significant. According to Kerry Miller (Bleacher Report), if Arenado returns to his consistent form, teams hunting for the player could be “very interested” in a big deal.
According to recent analysis, Arenado is no longer as rigid as before: some sources say he would consider new destinations if a reasonable offer comes in, instead of fully exercising his no-trade right like in the past.
This opens up a partnership scenario: the Cardinals could find a suitable partner, while Arenado gets a career restart at a more ambitious club.
The Cardinals seem to have a pretty clear goal: reduce the burden on the payroll by exchanging a big contract, while opening up development opportunities for young players like Nolan Gorman or Thomas Saggese.
They believe that with this approach, the team can both stay competitive and increase financial flexibility for the next key deals.
Several big teams are being built as potential candidates for Arenado: with his defensive prowess, experience and reputation, he could be an ideal piece for “immediately competing” teams next season. Some analysts even point to the possibility of incorporating Arenado into deals for young talent or other valuable pieces.
Arenado, who was once a “reserve” in the middle of Busch Stadium, could now be a “big trade” for the Cardinals to rebuild their roster. With a large payroll, a lack of form, and a young Leonardo Bloom at the helm, the possibility of the team moving on from its star is entirely realistic.
If the Cardinals are determined to “clear out the warehouse,” Nolan Arenado could soon be on a new team – and become the blockbuster deal of the summer transfer window. Who will step up? And what will the Cardinals get in return? The entire MLB is watching.
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