Cardinals $260 Million Superstar Tabbed 'Best Trade Chip' This Season
By
Zach Pressnell is a Newsweek contributor based in Columbus, Ohio. His focus is MLB content. He has an extensive knowledge of professional baseball and all things that come with it after working closely with the sport for years. Zach has been with Newsweek since November 2024 and previously worked at FanSided and OnSI. He is a graduate of Bethany College (WV). You can get in touch with Zach by emailing z.pressnell@newsweek.com.
Contributing Sports Writer
news article
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Share
✓ Link copied to clipboard!
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Arenado was one of the hottest names on the trade block this offseason. But, given his contract, Arenado wasn't traded. He has a lot of money left on his deal and a full no-trade clause, which makes it difficult for St. Louis to move him.
But that doesn't mean St. Louis won't find a trade partner.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller recently listed Arenado as one of the top trade chips of this season after he was one of the hottest names on the market during the offseason.
"Arenado is the big one, though, and the one that was almost traded a bunch of different times this offseason," Miller wrote. "The 10-time Gold Glove, eight-time All-Star, six-time Platinum Glove and five-time Silver Slugger third baseman is owed $21M this season, $16M in 2026 and $15M in 2027. And though he turns 34 later this month, Arenado still has something left in the tank, opening the season on a six-game hitting streak with a 1.109 OPS.
"No one in their right mind expects him to continue hitting like that, but if he can bounce back even a little bit from what was just about a career-worst campaign in 2024, there would be quite a few interested parties here."
Arenado is off to a very hot start this season, and it could see his trade value increase quite a bit. A team like the New York Yankees or Detroit Tigers would likely want to acquire Arenado, but he reportedly hasn't cleared his no-trade clause to those teams.
A few teams that he has reportedly cleared a trade to, the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers, could eventually make sense if the Cardinals are willing to eat more money on his deal.
More MLB: MLB Writer Urges Braves To Swing Blockbuster Trade Involving Struggling All-Star