In Tampa, Florida, the St. Louis Cardinals’ third baseman, Nolan Arenado, made the journey across the state for an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, one of the teams rumored to be interested in trading for him. Unfortunately, the game didn’t pan out as a highlight for Arenado, as he went hitless in three at-bats, striking out each time.
Arenado clarified that showcasing his skills wasn’t his intention for the day. “I didn’t come here for that,” he explained, as reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “It’s only the third day of spring training. It’s not the right moment for a showcase; I’m not ready for that.”
His presence on the trading block is attributed to his declining performance and an upcoming contract set to pay him $74 million over the next three years. Despite this, Arenado chose not to sit out the trip, motivated by the chance to reconnect with friends DJ LeMahieu and Paul Goldschmidt, both Yankees infielders, along with catching up with an athletic trainer he knows in the area.
Arenado aimed to have three at-bats, which kept him engaged in the game for seven innings, something uncommon in February for a seasoned player. “My body is ready for it,” he stated. “I’m ready to go the full nine. But my hitting timing is still off.”
