Despite an offseason of trade speculation, Nolan Arenado reported to St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Sunday. Based on his comments, he is not likely to end up on the move, either.
Arenado told reporters Sunday that he had been intentionally selective about teams he would accept a trade to during the offseason. The third baseman cited concerns about his family as a reason for maintaining a limited list of no more than five teams he would accept a trade to.
Arenado also confirmed it was “not likely” that he would expand his no-trade list, even if the alternative is to stay with a Cardinals team that is not expected to contend.
“I’m back and I’m ready to go play ball,” Arenado said, via Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I’m a ballplayer, and I’m a Cardinal, until I’m told I’m not. You know what I mean? And that’s all there is to it. And I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’ve got to be a better ball player, and that’s what I’m focused on.”
It is unclear who Arenado would accept a trade to, though the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are believed to be among the list of teams. The Boston Red Sox were as well, but they are out of the mix after signing Alex Bregman in free agency.
Recent reports have suggested one team might be interested in Arenado. However, that might be a difficult move for the Cardinals to make, since they would be shipping the third baseman to a division rival.
Arenado had the opportunity to go to a different American League team during the offseason, but he exercised his right to block that trade.
This fits with recent talk from the Cardinals that Arenado is probably going to be on the team to start the season. The list of teams he would accept a trade to is short, and it is not clear if any of those teams are even interested in adding him.
The 33-year-old is also hindered by the fact that he is coming off a poor season by his standards. He hit .272 in 2024, but with just 16 home runs, his worst full-season total since his rookie year.
Arenado is also still owed another $74 million over the next three years, making him a tough player to trade for unless the Cardinals take on a lot of money.
