DALLAS – Successful rebuilds that positively change the direction of a franchise and offer hope for a better future often cannot involve half measures – and will likely come with the necessary growing pains along the way.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak emphasized and backed that up Monday night in his Dallas hotel suite. Not only did he announce his intention to trade 10-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado, but he also ventured a guess that it probably wouldn’t happen this winter, limiting any hopes the Cardinals might have from what he called “Reset” for 2025 to emerge better.

“It’s my intention to try,” Mozeliak said when asked specifically if the franchise would try to sign the 33-year-old third baseman they worked so hard to acquire ahead of the 2021 season to get to the Rockies.

“We both remain optimistic that both parties will somehow remain happy. (Arenado staying with the Cardinals) is a possibility, but I’m not sure that gets us where we want to be. From a financial standpoint, there are certainly other options in terms of trying to shift our payroll, but (trading Arenado) would be a big help. It’s financial, but it’s also creating a runway for someone else.”

Back in Dallas, where Mozeliak weathered the fallout of losing superstar Albert Pujols to the Angels in 2011, the longtime manager maintained his intentions to trim payroll and shift focus to the team’s young core in 2025. Mozeliak praised the work Nolan Gorman has done this offseason training with new hitting coach Brant Brown, and he sounded like he already views the left-hander as a likely replacement for Arenado at third base.

Mozeliak, who plans to step down after the 2025 season, hopes Juan Soto’s signing with the Mets for $765 million over 15 years will spur movement in the market for stars like Arenado. Mozeliak said he’s already dealt with the reality of dealing a player who fueled dreams of a 12^Th World Series for the Cards when he joined the club in a trade.

“We never make these decisions lightly, but if you understand the profile of this team and after meeting with him in Colorado, he’s not asking for a trade or telling me I have to do it, but in the ‘Best With interest from both sides, I would like to try to find him somewhere,” Mozeliak said. “Changes happen often in this industry. I understand that change can feel anxious, frightening and disruptive for some people, but sometimes it can also be for the better. It’s all about how you accept it and adapt.”

Despite returning to playing the type of stellar defense he was known for early in his career, Arenado suffered a troubling blackout at the plate in 2024, with his lowest OPS (.719) and fewest home runs (16) in an entire season since his 2024 season Rookie year in 2013. His 71 RBIs were his fewest in a full season since 2014 (61).

Two obstacles to a trade are the $74 million Arenado owes over the next three years and the no-trade clause he has in place. Arenado has said in recent years that he desperately wants to win the World Series and wants to play for a team that will give him the best chance to win it all.

“(The no-trade clause) is a complicated task, but again we have had an open dialogue and understand where this could end,” said Mozeliak, who noted that Arenado is unlikely to be traded before the conclusion of the winter meetings .

Like Mozeliak, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has stayed in touch with Arenado throughout the offseason as the third baseman has worked to regain the speed and power that helped him hit at least 30 home runs and score 100 runs for seven straight seasons driving (with the exception of the pandemic). shortened 2020) from 2015-22. Arenado even worked with Brown on hitting techniques that the Cards want to implement in 2025.

“Nolan operates in a spirit of, ‘I’m here (as a Cardinal) working to prepare myself for a productive year as a player,'” Marmol said. “He still does a good job of building a connection with the boys. Unless that’s the case – if that’s what happens – he’ll continue as he is until he doesn’t have to anymore. He’s always invested in the Cardinals, and if that’s not the case, that’s part of the deal. Until that happens, he’s a Cardinal and invested in the Cardinals.”