In the wake of rumors naming Cardinals star Nolan Arenado as a potential trade candidate, team president John Mozeliak issued a statement on Saturday addressing the team’s plans for its All-Star third baseman.
Arenado, 32, has been one of several players mentioned around the league ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, with a move to the Dodgers among the most persistent rumors. Despite the rampant speculation, Mozeliak dismissed the idea of a split after taking a definitive stance on Arenado’s future by confirming the club has no intention of trading the eight-time All-Star any time soon.
“I have stated we are not trading him, have not asked him to waive his (no-trade clause),” Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “So at this time, we are working on building future success.”
While a few days still remain until the deadline, Mozeliak stating the Cards’ plan to build for the future with Arenado as a centerpiece all but signals he’ll likely remain in St. Louis until at least the end of this season.
Of course, barring a sudden change, any potential trade involving Arenado would have his final say because of his no-trade clause. The 10-time Golden Glove winner has five years and $144 million left on his contract, which runs through the 2027 season, after declining to use his opt-out clause in October.
With his Cardinals future seemingly decided, Arenado can now move on with his third-straight All-Star campaign without the added attention of potentially being on the move.
On Friday, Arenado addressed the rumored Dodgers trade, telling reporters after St. Louis’s 3–2 loss to the Cubs he’s taking things in stride. On the season, he has logged 22 home runs and 77 RBI while batting .284 in 100 games for the Cardinals (46–59), who currently sit in fourth place in the NL Central.
“I’m sure they’re doing their due diligence to try to figure out how to make this organization better,” he said, per the Post-Dispatch. “I really don’t have much to say about it. I haven’t heard anything yet. So I’m just kind of sitting here, going out and competing.”
