MLB Rumors: How Cardinals could end up trading Nolan Arenado

Could the St. Louis Cardinals actually trade third baseman Nolan Arenado? Here’s how one MLB insider detailed how it could happen.

The St. Louis Cardinals‘ disappointing start to the 2023 season continues. Entering Tuesday, the team is 32-45, good enough for last place in the NL Central, but is only 8.5 games back of first place. With that, Cardinals team president John Mozeliak doesn’t envision the team entering a rebuild. For a rebuild to happen, it would likely include the likes of third baseman Nolan Arenado.

But what would cause the team to trade Arenado?

In a recent article from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required), the senior writer and MLB insider floated the idea of the team trading Arenado to help bring in young talent, pointing out that their free agent signings recently haven’t panned out and that they rarely spend the adequate money to bolster the roster with top talent.

But to do so, Rosenthal says that Paul Goldschmidt would likely have to be the first domino to fall.

MLB rumors: What it would take for Cardinals to trade Nolan Arenado

"“Remove Goldschmidt from the equation, and Arenado might be willing to waive his no-trade clause, just as he did in Colorado when the Rockies did not build around him. Arenado, after finishing third in the NL MVP voting last season, has regressed both offensively and defensively. Perhaps the losing is getting to him. He’s more emotional than Goldschmidt. But he’s still only 32, still a well-above-average player. His remaining guarantee after this season, $109 million over four years, is perfectly reasonable for a player of his caliber. Trading him would not be a salary dump. Arenado would bring a quality return.”"

Arenado opted into his contract with the Cardinals, and is set to make $109 million guaranteed over the next four seasons. But, as Rosenthal notes, Arenado would have to waive his no-trade clause. If that were to happen, who can imagine what teams would give up to acquire him?

This season, Arenado recorded a .268 batting average, a .315 on-base percentage, a 471 slugging percentage, 15 home runs, 33 runs scored, 50 RBI, and 78 hits in 74 games played.

Again, the Cardinals trading away Arenado and Goldschmidt seems unlikely this season. FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray brought up recently that the expectation is that Arenado and Goldschmidt were to remain on the team this year and beyond.

"Despite being 32-45 and in last place in the National League Central, the St. Louis Cardinals do not intend to tear their roster apart,” writes Murray. “They want to keep both Goldschmidt and Arenado and build around them in future seasons.“If the Cardinals do sell, and that is increasingly possible, trade candidates on their roster include starters Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, relievers Giovanny Gallegos and Jordan Hicks, as well as outfielder Tyler O’Neill, among others.”"

Cardinals fans, what do you think? Should the team stand pat and try to make additions at the deadline? Or should they begin a rebuild?