The St. Louis Cardinals have revealed a significant update regarding the potential trade of star third baseman Nolan Arenado, with president of baseball operations John Mozeliak addressing the situation in a recent interview. Back at the Winter Meetings, Mozeliak expressed confidence that the Cardinals were close to trading Arenado, with speculation suggesting the deal could happen before Christmas. However, as of now, no trade has materialized, and the situation appears to be at a standstill.
Mozeliak publicly admitted regret over his early comments about Arenado’s trade prospects, acknowledging that he had spoken too confidently about a deal being imminent. He noted that the situation has not progressed as expected, but emphasized that the Cardinals are still not looking to trade Arenado for a low return or take on significant salary obligations.
The Cardinals’ interest in moving Arenado was initially seen as a strategic decision, likely involving the Houston Astros or another team. Still, it now appears that either the trade talks have stalled or the deal fell apart. Despite this setback, Mozeliak emphasized that the team values Arenado and is willing to hold onto him if the right offer doesn’t come through.
The Cardinals are hoping to make a trade soon, ideally before Spring Training, to clear space for younger players and address other roster needs. While it remains unclear if a trade will ultimately happen, both the team and Arenado may benefit from a fresh start, depending on how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks.