After an offseason in which it seemed like Nolan Arenado would be on the move, the eight-time All-Star vowed to improve when he reported to spring training with his St. Louis Cardinals teammates on Sunday at Jupiter, Fla.
The Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers seemed like possible landing spots for Arenado after four seasons with the Cardinals, but no deal materialized. The Red Sox remained a possibility until they signed free agent Alex Bregman last week.
Reports indicated that Arenado was willing to waive his no-trade clause for deals to the Dodgers, Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.
“I’m back and I’m ready to go play ball,” Arenado told outlets Sunday, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I’m a ballplayer, and I’m a Cardinal, until I’m told I’m not. You know what I mean? And that’s all there is to it. And I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’ve got to be a better ball player, and that’s what I’m focused on.”
Arenado, 33, belted 16 home runs for the Cardinals last season, his lowest total in a full season since hitting 10 in his rookie year of 2013 with the Colorado Rockies. His .394 slugging percentage was the lowest of his career.
Last season also was the second consecutive campaign in which Arenado did not win the National League Gold Glove Award at third base after earning the honor in each of his first 10 seasons.
While Arenado is expected to be the Cardinals’ third baseman on Opening Day, there are no reports that St. Louis will stop exploring trade suitors. Arenado still has two more seasons remaining on an original eight-year, $260-million contract that will pay him $32 million in 2025. The Cardinals added a one-year extension in 2027 for $15 million.
“Do I wish the (Cardinals’) direction was ‘all in?’ Of course,” Arenado said. “But is this what’s probably best for the Cardinals? Probably.”
In 12 major league seasons, Arenado is a career .285 hitter with an .857 OPS. He has 341 home runs with 1,132 RBIs in 1,680 games.
“If I was a better baseball player last year, maybe things would be a little bit different,” Arenado said. “I’m really focused on that. I feel really good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but my body feels ready to go so I’m really excited about that.”
–Field Level Media
