The upcoming offseason will be crucial for the St. Louis Cardinals. Many changes may be in store for the Cardinals as a result of the resignation of John Mozeliak as president of baseball operations and the appointment of Chaim Bloom.
The way the organization calls up prospects or handles free agency may be some of those adjustments. The way Bloom treats the team’s veterans, however, is probably going to alter.
Nolan Arenado is one of the most probable players to be moved after the 2025 season ends, thus Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report believes Bloom will try to trade him in the offseason given the team’s big group of position players.
“The Cardinals are turning over a new leaf with their transition from John Mozeliak to Chaim Bloom calling the shots,” says Miller, “and they want to clear the deck and start over fresh with eyes on the future instead of these expensive relics from the past.”
Miller believes that Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras might be traded in the summer in addition to Arenado. Arenado is the one who is most likely to waive his no-trade clause, even though all three have them.
He used it to refuse a deal with the Houston Astros in the summer and didn’t waive it this year. However, given that Bloom may want to offload some of their veterans and start a mini-rebuild in the summer, Arenado may be more receptive to it than previously.
Even though Arenado hasn’t played his best offensively this season and is presently injured, his defense is still very good, and he may easily get back to his previous level of play. Another club may strengthen their lineup and get a third baseman by acquiring veteran Arenado for a modest $16 million in 2026 and $15 million in 2027.
Arenado would obviously need to agree to join that team. His position on the roster is uncertain, though, since the Cardinals are turning to younger players, thus it makes perfect sense for all parties to locate a trade partner.
If the 10-time Gold Glove third baseman were available, clubs would want to sign him. An Arenado move makes a lot of sense since Bloom could want to claim the roster as his own.
The no-trade provision makes it more difficult to complete a deal. However, Arenado may be more inclined than ever to waive his no-trade clause now that it appears that St. Louis may be starting a soft rebuild.
Miller’s forecast that Arenado is among the players most likely to be dealt over the summer would be realized if he did. Arenado is a prominent trade chip this season, so any trade rumors involving him will be widely watched once the summer starts.
