Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) speaks in a press conference after defeating the New York Yankees in game one of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Why St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado surprisingly rejected Houston Astros trade at ‘1-yard line’
Nolan Arenado remains with the St. Louis Cardinals despite extensive offseason trade discussions, with new details emerging about a nearly completed deal with the Houston Astros.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak had been willing to move the eight-time All-Star third baseman after Arenado expressed interest in joining a contender during the team’s rebuild. However, two significant obstacles complicated any potential trade: Arenado’s full no-trade clause and the $74 million owed to the 33-year-old over the next three years.
The Athletic’s Katie Woo reports that negotiations between the Cardinals and Astros reached the “1-yard line,” requiring only Arenado’s approval – which he ultimately withheld.
“According to multiple industry sources, Arenado was unsure of multiple things, including the timing of the deal and what direction Houston was trending,” Woo reported. “Though the Astros were on his original list of trade destinations, the loss of Tucker and the likely loss of free agent Alex Bregman had caused Arenado to reconsider. He wanted more time, sources described, and while he did not tell the Astros ‘no’ definitively, he also did not want to rush into a decision.”
Following Arenado’s hesitation, the Astros pivoted to sign first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million contract, effectively ending their pursuit. The proposed deal would have placed Arenado at third base, with newly acquired All-Star Isaac Paredes, obtained in the Kyle Tucker trade, at first base.
The financial terms were also apparently favorable for St. Louis as the Astros were willing to pay most of Arenado’s remaining $74 million salary.
“Per multiple sources familiar with the proposed deal, the Cardinals would pay roughly $15 million of Arenado’s salary — around 25 percent of their remaining commitment — over the next three years, well satisfying ownership’s desire to decrease payroll,” Woo noted.
With talks now back to square one and Arenado limiting his potential destinations to the Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox, a trade appears increasingly unlikely this season.
