Cardinals talk about a profession for Nolan Arenado

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Oh no… has a central NL team finally decided to try to compete this season? Because if the latest rumors are true, the St. Louis Cardinals could focus on a trade for Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Nolan Arenado ostensibly placed himself on the trading block shortly after signing an eight-year, $ 260 million extension with the Rockies a few years ago, when his promised vision for the team’s future didn’t match. not to the actions of the franchise off the field / in the market (basically they didn’t spend as much / were trying as hard to compete as they told them they would). And so the Rockies tried to move a (rightfully) disgruntled Arenado to make him happy… but also so they could free up enough money to extend Trevor Story as a free agent long term.

And while “no deal seems close” so far, there are a few specific details and a lot of momentum (emphasis added):

The Cardinals are in talks with the Rockies over a deal that would bring the five-time All-Star third baseman to St. Louis, according to major league sources. No deal seems close, and other players who could be involved are not known.

Arenado, probably 29 years old would waive its no-trade clause join the cardinals, and maybe agree to postpone your right of withdrawal after the 2021 season. The Rockies, to escape their $ 199 million guarantee over the next six seasons, almost certainly would absorb at least one high-priced veteran of the Cardinals while receiving prospects in the case.

NOTE: This isn’t the first time the Cardinals and the Rockies have discussed such a deal.

One of the biggest obstacles to any Arenado trade (aside from all the money, of course) is the presence of an opt-out after the 2021 season. Due to this clause, any team that acquires it cannot not being sure to have it for more than a year, which makes it particularly difficult to accept a value in trade. However, if Arenado pushes his opt-out out, as he would be willing to do, it could help facilitate a deal by providing more control and certainty to the Cardinals (or anyone else).

Another key detail here is that the Cardinals would send a “high-priced veteran” contract to the Rockies to help offset large amounts owed to Arenado. Maybe third baseman Matt Carpenter ($ 18.5million owed in 2021, club option $ 18.5million in 2022 with $ 2million buyback) would fit? Just a guess.

Either way, trading for Arenado might actually be enough to make the Cardinals favorites in a particularly weak NL Central this season – ZiPS has Carpenter at 1.7 WAR for 2021 and Arenado at 4.1 WAR, for what it’s worth. . So this is a deal that I’d rather not see happen (and, yes, I’m aware of the Arenado campaign in 2020 and the perceived weaknesses away from Coors… I still don’t want him in St. Louis. this season). And, of course, there’s also the possibility of St. Louis becoming Arenado’s permanent residence, even after the swap / disengagement, which I also prefer to avoid.

***
Now, there is a whole other aspect that we need to address: the Kris Bryant market.

If Arenado is traded to the Cardinals it could be a good thing for Bryant’s market (assuming a fair enough return *), as it takes some pretty similar competition (a right-handed, expensive 3B) out of the market, all the while l ‘sending to a team that was definitely NOT going to negotiate for Bryant. Notably, Rosenthal mentions that the Braves had also registered on Arenado. Perhaps, then, we can include them more seriously on the list of possible business partners for Bryant (who, remember, we plan to take off as soon as Justin Turner signs his deal).

* I hope the Cardinals are forced to give up a HAUL … for the obvious reasons I want them to overpay in any trade (for once), but also for the improvement of the KB trading market resulting.

Of course, if the Rockies release enough money to extend Trevor’s story (and if the Mets extend Francisco Lindor, as I expected), maybe Javy Baez sees much lighter competition in the market. next winter and decides to hold on. an expansion with the Cubs. Or maybe I’m just too pessimistic because everything has been difficult lately.

In any case, nothing has happened yet, and even Rosenthal admits that a deal isn’t necessarily done. Then again, this sounds like the kind of report that comes out just before things get serious.

We will probably be following this very closely tomorrow. Good night.

UPDATE: Local reporter (St. Louis) Derrick Goold confirms the discussions, but appears to be preaching caution, given Arenado’s withdrawal and the large salary remaining.

UPDATE II: And now, a local report from Denver is pumping the brakes on the deal and reintroducing the Braves as a possible suitor. Is it semantics? Legitimate thought? Is suspicious and useful information systematically disclosed to preserve leverage? We will see!

(Photo by Getty Images)



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