Cardinals Trade Three Relievers, Veterans Blocked by No-Trade Clauses at Deadline

The St. Louis Cardinals are actively rebuilding their roster, having traded relievers Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz, and Phil Maton at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, while seeking to offload higher-profile veterans like Sonny Gray, Miles Mikolas, and Willson Contreras. However, the latter trio all declined to waive their no-trade clauses, preventing the Cardinals from making those desired moves and forcing them to retain key veterans despite their rebuilding plans. Notably, Nolan Arenado also blocked a proposed trade to the Houston Astros using his no-trade clause and remains with the team while recovering from a shoulder injury, though his future with the Cardinals beyond 2025 is uncertain amid the team's ongoing rebuild. The trade for Steven Matz to Boston was highlighted as unusual since the Cardinals received rising prospect Blaze Jordan in exchange for a short-term rental, which many analysts viewed as a favorable deal for St. Louis. These developments underscore tensions between player autonomy and the Cardinals' strategic efforts to rejuvenate their roster, with the front office facing challenges in balancing veteran loyalty and the need for youth infusion. Moving forward, the Cardinals must reassess their offseason approach while navigating the implications of these no-trade clauses on their rebuilding trajectory.