St. Louis Cardinals’ All-Star 3B Nolan Arenado Blocks a Trade to Astros

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado in 2021
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado in 2021. Photo by Kirsten Schmitt/CSM/Shutterstock (12418405ag)

The St. Louis Cardinals were reportedly on the verge of trading their superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Houston Astros. However, the move is currently off the table as Arenado blocked it thanks to his no-trade clause.

According to MLB Network, the two teams had a deal in place, with the Cardinals willing to contribute between $15 million and $20 million to Arenado’s salary. Arenado is under contract for three more years as part of an eight-year, $260 million contract extension he signed with the Colorado Rockies back in 2019.

As part of the agreement with the Rockies, Arenado received a no-trade clause. He agreed to waive it for his trade to the Cardinals in 2021 but doesn’t appear to be willing to do the same for the Astros.

Arenado has been considered one of the best defensive players at third baseman position of all time. He has won ten Gold Glove Awards since making his MLB debut in 2013, and he has also had eight All-Star nods. Arenado played 152 games in 2024, batting .272 with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs.

Despite his star status, Arenado has been deemed expendable by the Cardinals as the team attempts to retool its roster and return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for two years in a row.

Arenado has also been willing to move on, but his focus is on landing with a team that can contend for the World Series. As currently constructed, and having just traded star outfielder Kyle Tucker, the Astros don’t seem to fit the bill.

“All I can say is that we were in talks with multiple teams, and we still are, but I have nothing pending,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters on Wednesday when asked about Arenado. “We’re still working on a lot of things, and hopefully, we have clarity as we get into the new year.”