JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, is navigating a complex situation as the team prepares for the upcoming season. With the third baseman Nolan Arenado set to report to training camp Monday, Mozeliak acknowledges the unease surrounding Arenado’s presence, following attempts to trade the player over the offseason. “The pink elephant in the room is what are we going to do with Nolan Arenado,” he remarked during the opening day of workouts. The uncertainty may continue into camp, with Mozeliak indicating that a resolution could happen in the next week or possibly stretch on longer.
Arenado had a challenging season last year, posting a batting average of .272 with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs, marking his least productive season in a decade. The 33-year-old, who is a two-time MVP and has won ten Gold Glove awards, has a .285 career average, having recorded 341 home runs and 1,132 RBIs while playing for both the Cardinals and Colorado Rockies. As the Cardinals prepare for a transition to a younger roster, they remain active in trade discussions, with Mozeliak emphasizing the need to plan for the future, stating, “how do we set ourselves up for ‘26, ’27 and beyond?”
Arenado’s contract, which totals $74 million over the next three years, adds to the complexity. He is set to earn $32 million this season, $27 million in 2026, and $15 million in 2027. Additionally, $6 million of his salaries in 2025 and 2026 will be deferred without interest, payable between 2032 and 2041. The Rockies will also contribute $5 million this year as part of an agreement to offset part of Arenado’s original contract.
Mozeliak noted that the Cardinals initially expected some progress on a trade during the offseason, but the outcome has not met those expectations. The challenges stem from factors such as the free agent market and the limited interest in Arenado. He mentioned, “I do not have a large list of teams. It wasn’t like 29 I could take him to. So I just tried to navigate what I could work with, and obviously it hasn’t moved at the pace many of us had hoped for.”
The presence of a full no-trade clause gives Arenado significant control over his potential relocation, though Mozeliak indicated that there are five teams to which Arenado would be amenable to a trade. Opening his news conference, Mozeliak acknowledged the team’s inactivity in signing free agents after two consecutive playoff misses. He also mentioned the transition in leadership, with Chaim Bloom set to take over from him after the 2025 season.
“It’s an unusual situation,” Mozeliak stated. “We typically enter this phase feeling positive about our offseason progress, but this time, a cloud of uncertainty looms as we try to figure out our next steps.” Meanwhile, the team faces roster changes, with star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt departing for the New York Yankees and All-Star catcher Willson Contreras transitioning to first base.
Despite the uncertainties, fourth-year manager Oliver Marmol expressed optimism regarding the direction of the team. He highlighted that there is a clear plan in place, allowing players to focus on their preparation without the pressure of indecision.
As the Cardinals look ahead, they are counting on younger talents like middle infielders Masyn Winn and Nolan Gorman, along with outfielder Jordan Walker, to play crucial roles in their quest to reach the postseason. “Our goal is to win this year,” stated Mozeliak. He emphasized the confidence in the team’s combination of experienced pitchers and promising young talent, concluding that betting on a younger team could prove beneficial.
