St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado arrived at spring training, ready to join the team after a tumultuous offseason where trade talks surrounded him. The eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner is under contract for the next three seasons, with $74 million owed to him. The Colorado Rockies will pay the Cardinals $5 million this year as part of the agreement from a trade made four years ago.
Arenado, who has a full no-trade provision, revealed that there were about five teams interested in acquiring him, but his commitment to his family limited the potential destinations. Despite a slightly below-par season in 2023, where he hit .272 with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs, Arenado expressed his eagerness to focus on the upcoming season and contribute to the team's success.
Cardinals' President of baseball operations acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Arenado's future with the team but emphasized that having him on the roster makes the team stronger. The 33-year-old infielder boasts a career batting average of .285 with 341 home runs and 1,132 RBIs between his time with the Cardinals and Rockies.
While Arenado expressed his desire for the Cardinals to prioritize contending over rebuilding, he recognized the team's strategy to set up long-term success. St. Louis has refrained from major free-agent signings and saw first baseman Paul Goldschmidt depart to the New York Yankees in free agency.
Despite the team's recent playoff misses, Arenado remains committed to his role and is determined to prepare for the upcoming season. With his experience and track record, the Cardinals are optimistic about their prospects with Arenado in the lineup.
As the Cardinals gear up for the season, the focus shifts to on-field performance and the collective effort to achieve success in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
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