Recent reports indicate that the Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals were engaged in discussions to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado to Houston. However, Arenado exercised his no-trade clause to block the move, effectively halting the potential deal.
Arenado, an eight-time All-Star and ten-time Gold Glove Award winner, has been a cornerstone for the Cardinals since his acquisition from the Colorado Rockies in 2021. Despite his impressive defensive skills, his offensive performance has seen a decline in recent seasons. In 2024, he posted a batting average of .272 with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs, marking one of the less productive seasons of his career.
The Astros, anticipating the potential departure of their own third baseman, Alex Bregman, who is currently a free agent, viewed Arenado as a viable replacement. Reports suggest that the Cardinals were willing to include $15 to $20 million in the deal to offset Arenado’s remaining salary, reducing Houston’s financial commitment to approximately $40 to $45 million over the next three years.
The reasons behind Arenado’s decision to veto the trade remain unclear. Given his expressed desire to join a team poised for immediate success, it is noteworthy that he declined a move to the Astros, a team with a strong track record in recent years. Some speculate that Houston’s recent trade of outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs may have influenced Arenado’s perception of the Astros’ competitiveness.
With Arenado’s decision, the Astros will need to explore alternative options to fill the potential void at third base. Meanwhile, the Cardinals continue to navigate a transitional period, balancing the desire to reset their roster with the realities of player preferences and contractual obligations.
