As the St. Louis Cardinals struggle through a 12–16 start to the 2025 season, trade rumors surrounding star third baseman Nolan Arenado have resurfaced. Amid growing speculation about possible roster shakeups, Arenado’s future remains uncertain.
On a recent episode of Foul Territory, The Athletic’s Katie Woo highlighted that any decision to move the eight-time All-Star will depend heavily on how the team performs leading up to the trade deadline. If the Cardinals stay near .500 and remain in playoff contention, it’s unlikely that President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak—currently in his final year—would part ways with a franchise cornerstone like Arenado.
Arenado’s full no-trade clause gives him significant control over any potential move, narrowing the Cardinals’ flexibility. Still, reports suggest he’d be open to waiving the clause for select teams, such as the Yankees, Dodgers, Padres, Red Sox, and Astros. A trade with Houston was reportedly on the table during the offseason, but Arenado turned it down due to concerns about the Astros’ evolving roster.
The Boston Red Sox have re-entered trade discussions for Nolan Arenado, but his fit in Boston is complicated by the presence of Rafael Devers at third base, meaning the team would need to make major roster adjustments to accommodate him. Other clubs—including the Yankees, Phillies, and Dodgers—have also shown interest, though salary concerns and existing lineups could hinder a deal.
Despite the trade buzz, Arenado has been steady this season, posting a .255 batting average, .354 on-base percentage, and .429 slugging percentage, with three home runs and 12 RBIs. His defensive prowess at third base remains among the best in the game.
With the Cardinals at a turning point, whether they keep or trade Arenado will largely depend on their ability to stay in the playoff race. If they slide further out of contention, dealing him could be a strategic move to bring in younger talent and begin a retooling phase.
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