This offseason has been hectic for the St. Louis Cardinals. Dustin May, a right-hander, signed a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2027 on Saturday. Earlier this winter, they also traded Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox.
Although trading players like Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, and JoJo Romero is not their top priority, they have been actively considering moves for these players. Their first priority is to trade Nolan Arenado.
But there is one issue. Although dealing him is their first objective, they have encountered a significant obstacle in their quest for a deal, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic.
Cardinals Face Major Hurdle In Nolan Arenado Trade Talks
The team’s top priority is still to move Nolan Arenado, but there isn’t yet a market for Arenado, who has a complete no-trade clause. Bloom told St. Louis-based media in Orlando, Florida, on Monday that releasing Arenado is “not an option,” indicating the Cardinals’ continued belief that they will find a suitor for their All-Star third baseman, Woo reported.
The main issue is that teams will be more interested in the three third basemen available on the free agent market. Alex Bregman’s market held up Arenado’s during the previous offseason.
Eugenio Suarez and Bregman are also free agents this year. Arenado is virtually at the bottom of the hierarchy because Munetaka Murakami has also been included to that list.
The Cardinals may have to hang onto Arenado until the trade deadline if they are unable to find a market for him in the last months of the summer.
During the regular season in 2025, Arenado struggled, batting just.237 with 12 home runs and a.666 OPS. Due to an injury, he also missed some time.
In the end, they might trade Willson Contreras to make room for Alec Burleson at first base, but it will be intriguing to watch what kind of market, if any, develops for Arenado later in the offseason.
The veteran third baseman doesn’t appear to be attracting any attention, which is not exactly encouraging for the Cardinals to trade him.
