The St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros were close to finalizing a significant trade involving third baseman Nolan Arenado, but the deal stalled when Arenado chose not to waive his full no-trade clause, at least for now. Despite the Astros’ determined efforts to acquire the 10-time Gold Glove winner, his hesitation has left both teams in a state of uncertainty.
Negotiations reportedly advanced during the Winter Meetings, with both sides optimistic about reaching an agreement. The Astros were willing to take on most of Arenado’s remaining salary, leaving the Cardinals responsible for only about $5 million annually. However, the talks came to a standstill due to Arenado’s reluctance to commit to Houston and the uncertain market for third basemen.
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, Arenado’s decision to delay stemmed from his desire to assess the broader third-base market, particularly the status of free agent Alex Bregman. Arenado is said to be seeking greater clarity about Houston’s long-term plans, especially after the Astros recently traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs.
This pause in discussions highlights Arenado’s strategic approach, as he appears to prioritize both market dynamics and team direction before making any significant career move. The stalemate leaves the Cardinals exploring other options while the Astros may have to revisit their strategy if they want to secure Arenado. For now, the future of this blockbuster trade remains uncertain, with Arenado’s next steps holding the key to any potential deal.
