Astros Decide Against Pursuing Cardinals' Nolan Arenado at Trade Deadline

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Houston Astros are focused on strengthening their roster, particularly at third base, due to Isaac Paredes' hamstring injury. Despite prior offseason trade talks, the Astros have decided not to pursue St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, who vetoed a trade to Houston using his no-trade clause because he did not view the Astros as contenders. Furthermore, Arenado's current season struggles, including a .237 batting average and .669 OPS, have diminished his appeal to the Astros, who are instead seeking more cost-effective and productive alternatives. Astros General Manager Dana Brown has publicly expressed disappointment over Arenado's offseason veto, emphasizing the team's competitive window. With other potential trade targets like Ryan McMahon already dealt and high-cost players such as Eugenio Suarez, Houston's options are limited, but the team remains committed to improving the roster as they contend in the division. While Arenado may attract interest from other teams, the Astros are focused on finding viable third base solutions to maintain their strong position in the AL.