Cardinals Reportedly Emerging as Leading Contender in Nolan Arenado Trade Talks
The Colorado Rockies signed Nolan Arenado to an eight-year deal worth $260 last offseason. Now the team is reportedly already looking to move the homegrown star.
Arenado is able to opt out after 2021, but that's not stopping the trade rumors. The St. Louis Cardinals appear to be serious about acquiring the five-time All-Star, as previous rumors have suggested.
Source: #STLCards, #Rockies have had preliminary talks on a Nolan Arenado trade. Latest story: https://t.co/eVzywH9Qiw @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 12, 2020
The Cards have a clear need at third base with the regression of Matt Carpenter, though Tommy Edman has emerged as a formidable option. That shouldn't matter to the front office because Arenado would make them the instant favorites in the NL.
Arenado has won a Gold Glove in all seven of his MLB seasons and has a career WAR of 38.7 since 2013.
Ramifications from #STLCards' acquisition of prized pitching prospect Matt Liberatore from #Rays: 1) It could increase free-agent Marcell Ozuna's chances of returning to St. Louis. 2) Liberatore is the type of prospect the #Rockies would demand in trade package for Nolan Arenado
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 9, 2020
The asking price for Arenado is going to remain high and it's likely those interested are already well aware of that.
An Arenado trade would be one of the bigger shocks of the offseason considering he's one of the best all-around players in baseball. Such a move would shake up the entire league, and the Cardinals are looking to do just that.