St. Louis Cardinals All-Star reportedly increasingly likely to be traded this offseason

The St. Louis Cardinals are undergoing a period of significant change this offseason, signaling a shift towards a long-term strategy for both their roster and farm system.

As the front office unites behind this new direction, it seems likely that the team will make at least one major trade move in the near future.

This restructuring began with the departure of Paul Goldschmidt, the All-Star first baseman who joined the team in 2019 and whose contract expired this offseason.

With his exit, Nolan Arenado, the Cardinals’ All-Star third baseman, could be the next prominent player on the move.

Arenado, who will turn 34 in April, is coming off a challenging year. His 2023 season was his least productive since his rookie year in 2013, finishing with a career-low slugging percentage of .394 and his lowest home run total in a full season.

In addition to these offensive struggles, Arenado’s defensive performance has also slipped. Despite being a 10-time Gold Glove winner, he ended his 33-year-old season ranked below the 90th percentile for Fielding Run Value, marking the second consecutive season in which his defense has declined.

With the Cardinals embarking on a multi-year transition, Arenado’s future with the team is increasingly uncertain.

Recent reports indicate that MLB insiders believe a trade involving Arenado is becoming more likely as the offseason progresses.

Katie Woo from The Athletic mentions that the buzz around the league suggests Arenado could be moved, with several teams expressing interest.

However, it’s expected that talks will heat up after the initial wave of MLB free agency, which is when many teams will have already made their moves for top players.

At that point, Arenado could become a more attractive target for teams seeking to bolster their infield.

One key factor in the growing trade speculation is Arenado’s reported willingness to transition to first base. Should this become a viable option, it would broaden the pool of potential suitors for the veteran player, as teams with a need at first base could find Arenado to be a good fit. Additionally, moving Arenado to first base might allow him to extend his career and remain productive at a new position. This could be an appealing prospect for clubs looking for an experienced bat and defensive presence without taking a major risk.

The potential trade of Nolan Arenado would mark the end of an era for the Cardinals, signaling the conclusion of a successful period in which they fielded one of the best third basemen in baseball. However, such a move would also provide the team with an opportunity to begin a much-needed rebuild, opening the door for younger talent to emerge and contribute to the team’s future success. As the offseason continues to unfold, the likelihood of Arenado being traded only seems to grow, making this a critical moment for the St. Louis Cardinals as they reshape their roster for the years to come.