The St. Louis Cardinals are heading into a pivotal offseason, and with Chaim Bloom now steering the front office, the franchise is clearly leaning into a reset. They’ve got several trade chips on the table-Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, JoJo Romero-but the centerpiece of their offseason plans might just be Nolan Arenado.
Arenado, once the cornerstone of the Cardinals’ infield and still one of the most respected gloves in the game, is suddenly at the center of trade talks. And while his bat took a noticeable dip in 2025-he slashed .237/.289/.377 with just 12 home runs-it’s his contract, age, and the trajectory of both his career and the Cardinals’ roster that make this a story to watch.
Arenado and the Angels: A Fit That Raises Questions
According to reports, the Los Angeles Angels have emerged as a potential landing spot for Arenado. But there’s a major caveat: the Angels are currently trying to negotiate a buyout with Anthony Rendon, whose massive contract has been a weight on the organization for years. Until that situation is resolved, nothing is imminent.
Even if the Angels clear the deck financially, the fit for Arenado feels more convenient than competitive. Yes, he’d be returning to Southern California, which brings a certain comfort factor. But if Arenado is prioritizing contention-and by all accounts, he is-the Angels are a tough sell.
They haven’t sniffed the postseason since 2014, and while there’s been some activity this offseason, it doesn’t scream “win-now.” The Halos are still in the shadow of a rebuild themselves, and plugging in a 34-year-old third baseman with declining production doesn’t exactly change their trajectory overnight.
Why the Cardinals Would Welcome the Deal
From St. Louis’ perspective, moving Arenado makes sense.
Shedding the final two years of his contract would free up significant payroll flexibility, and given the club’s current direction, it’s a pragmatic move. The Cardinals are retooling with an eye toward the future, and offloading a veteran with diminishing returns-both at the plate and in the field-would align with that strategy.
Arenado’s 2025 season was his most underwhelming in years. He missed over a month due to injury and never quite found his rhythm at the plate.
His OPS dipped to .666, and while his glove remains elite, the overall package isn’t what it once was. That’s not to say he can’t contribute-he absolutely can-but the days of MVP-level production might be behind him.
The Waiting Game: Bregman and Suárez Hold the Cards
Arenado’s market is also in a bit of a holding pattern. Two other big-name third basemen-Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suárez-are still unsigned, and once they find homes, the picture for Arenado should come into sharper focus. Teams in need of infield help may turn to the trade market if they miss out on those free agents, and that’s when the Cardinals could see more serious offers roll in.
Until then, the Angels remain a “maybe” at best. Even if Rendon’s situation is resolved, Arenado would be stepping into a team that’s still trying to figure out its identity. And for a player who’s made it clear he wants to win, that’s a tough sell.
What’s Next for Arenado?
At this stage in his career, Arenado has earned the right to chase a ring. He’s an eight-time All-Star, a perennial Gold Glove winner, and one of the most respected veterans in the league. But with age creeping in and injuries starting to show, the window is narrowing.
If he’s going to make one more run at a championship, it’ll likely have to be with a team that’s already built to contend-not one still trying to find its footing.
For now, the Cardinals are watching the market, weighing their options, and waiting for the right deal. And Nolan Arenado? He’s waiting too-likely hoping that when the dust settles, he’ll land somewhere that gives him a real shot at the one thing that’s eluded him: a World Series title.