Nolan Arenado may have shut down trade rumors for now, but the decision to keep him might come back to bite the St. Louis Cardinals.
After years of underwhelming performances with Arenado on the roster, many assumed his time in St. Louis was nearing its end—especially after trade talks with the Houston Astros nearly materialized this past offseason. But Arenado exercised his no-trade clause, and now, with the Cardinals unexpectedly in the playoff hunt and sitting just a few games behind the Cubs, it looks like that decision may have paid off—at least for now.
Arenado recently expressed excitement about the team’s performance, admitting he hadn’t felt this energized in years. He emphasized his desire to win a World Series, suggesting he’s fully committed to St. Louis. His comments seemed to slam the door on any trade talk, at least publicly.
However, that commitment might be limiting the Cardinals’ long-term flexibility. As the deadline nears, the front office faces a tough choice: ride the wave of a surprising season or consider retooling for the future. While Arenado remains a valuable player, he’s being paid like a superstar, and St. Louis has younger, cheaper talent waiting in the wings. If the postseason run falls short, the team may regret not making a bolder move while they had the chance.
What seemed like a feel-good decision in June could ultimately tie the Cardinals’ hands heading into 2026.
