8:06 p.m.: At least three “mid-tier” teams have contacted the Cardinals about Arenado’s availability, Katie Woo of the Athletic writes. She adds that the Yankees are indeed interested in the star third baseman, although it is unknown whether Arenado would waive his no-trade right to go to the Bronx.

6:17 p.m.: Nolan ArenadoVon’s name has come into play as a natural trade candidate as the Cardinals look to trim some payroll and may not make a full-fledged attempt at the prospect. Despite the many obstacles presented by Arenado’s move, Cards president of baseball operations John Mozeliak stated bluntly: “It is my intention to try” to move Arenado this season when he spoke today with Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat (links to X), Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other reporters. A trade could happen relatively soon, within the next 7-10 days, but probably not during the winter meetings.

It’s rare to see an executive speak so openly about a player’s tradeability, especially when it comes to a player who is still under contract for the next three seasons. But even though Mozeliak recently pushed back on the idea that 2025 is purely a rebuilding year for the Cardinals, it seems like the team would like to free up the third base spot for younger players in addition to taking a portion of Arenado’s salary off the books.

Arenado has a full no-trade clause, so he ultimately has the final say on where he plays in 2025 and beyond. The fact that Mozeliak believes a deal is relatively close would mean that Arenado has already tentatively agreed to a deal with a specific team or a few teams, so the Cardinals are now sifting through the best offers from that team or teams. It’s already known that Arenado is even willing to move on from third base if that’s a better fit for a particular club, although it seems unusual for the 10-time Gold Glover to leave his usual position.

Beyond the no-trade protection, Arenado is owed $74 million in the remaining three years of his contract, although $10 million of that sum will be picked up by the Rockies under the terms of the trade that Arenado acquired from Colorado later this year sent to St. Louis during the 2020-21 offseason. The Cards could try to take on another unfavorable contract as salary compensation, but that wouldn’t help the club’s overall plans much.

It would be easier to find a trade partner who could absorb the entire $64 million if Arenado was still in his best All-Star form, even though his numbers have declined over the past two seasons. Arenado has hit .269/.320/.426 with 42 home runs in 1,247 plate appearances since Opening Day 2023, still above average (104 wRC+) but not at his previous level. His isolated power rating fell to .123 in 2024, the lowest mark of his career and well below his .241 average over the past 11 seasons.

Regardless of the position change, Arenado’s market could be helped by the fact that the selection is somewhat thin for teams looking for help at third base this winter. Alex Bregman is easily the best option available in free agency and the Phillies Alec Boehm could be the best third baseman available on the trade front. If a club feels a change of scenery could give Arenado a successful year, a trade would be possible, assuming Arenado is equally excited about this new location and agrees to a deal. The Yankees are reportedly one team that has been approached by the Cardinals about Arenado, although the extent of interest from New York is unknown.

Speaking of Cardinals players with no-trade protection: Miles Mikolas Goold said he would prefer to stay in St. Louis for the final year of his contract. Mikolas is owed $16 million in 2025, and it might be difficult to find a taker at that full price anyway, as Mikolas struggled with a 5.35 ERA over 171 2/3 innings last season. While the 36-year-old still brings plenty of stamina, the Cards might prefer such an innings eater in their own rotation since the team has already parted ways with him Lance Lynn And Kyle Gibson.