Cardinals Prioritize Nolan Arenado Trade Amid Ongoing Discussions

The St. Louis Cardinals are actively seeking to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado, prioritizing this move as they aim to reduce payroll and clear space for younger players. Despite discussions with teams like the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, Arenado has exercised his no-trade clause, complicating potential deals. Cardinals' president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has noted that the offseason has stalled due to the inability to finalize a trade involving Arenado, who has approximately $64 million remaining on his contract. There is speculation that the Cardinals may need to pivot towards trading pitchers like Erick Fedde and Steven Matz if a deal for Arenado doesn’t materialize. Some analysts suggest that a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies could be feasible, especially if the Phillies are aiming to maintain their competitive edge in the National League. As the offseason progresses, the Cardinals face pressure to make roster moves ahead of the upcoming season.