The Cardinals were on the verge of trading Arenado, their top offseason goal, and they’d not only pulled off a deal, they’d matched with one of the teams on the eight-time All-Star’s short and semi-problematic five-team list of acceptable destinations.

The St. Louis Cardinals entered the offseason with the intention of trading third baseman Nolan Arenado. While the Cardinals engaged in talks with several teams in an attempt to move the 10-time Gold Glove winner,

Nolan Arenado, after an offseason filled with trade speculation, is back for his fifth season with the St. Louis Cardinals. While his return gives the Cardinals stability at third base, it could have a ripple effect on the playing time of younger teammates looking to carve out everyday roles.

“I’m ready to work,” Arenado said. “It’s not awkward for my teammates and my coaches. And to be honest with you, it’s not really awkward with the front office. They have a job to do and I have a job to do.”

Copyright © 2025 Bleacher Report, Inc. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado reported to spring training on Sunday, showing up to play for a team that spent much of the offseason trying to trade him. The eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner is owed $74 million for the next three seasons.

If Nolan Arenado wants to play for a contender while getting off a team that's trying to discard him, he'll need to expand his wish list of landing spots.