As the St. Louis Cardinals continue to struggle, uncertainty is starting to grow, especially for star third baseman Nolan Arenado. He might be reflecting on his decision not to approve a trade to the Houston Astros during the offseason, though he is focused on moving forward. In a recent interview with MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, Arenado opened up about his future with the team and his career goals.
Arenado addressed concerns about his long-term future with the Cardinals, who have been stuck in mediocrity for several seasons with few signs of improvement. As he continues to age, the question of his future with the team has resurfaced. The eight-time All-Star spoke candidly, but oddly, he sounded as though he didn’t have control over whether he gets moved, despite holding a full no-trade clause in his contract. This was the same clause he used to block the trade to Houston earlier this year—something he may have overlooked in his recent comments.
When asked about his future after turning 34, Arenado seemed uncertain about how much longer he has left in the game. He acknowledged that while he feels great and has a lot of baseball left in him, he’s still unsure about what lies ahead. He left the door open for more seasons, but it’s clear that the end of his career may be drawing nearer. “I feel I have a lot left in the tank,” he stated. “It’s a long season, obviously.”
Arenado also touched on his Hall of Fame prospects, admitting he wasn’t sure whether he’d make it but expressing hope that his future in the game would speak for itself. “I feel I have a lot left in the game,” he said, implying that he still has significant achievements to add before his career concludes.
However, his future with the Cardinals remains in question. As the team struggles, Arenado is aware that if the situation doesn’t improve, trade talks could emerge once again. He expressed hope that the team would be competitive enough to make moves at the trade deadline, but he acknowledged that if not, difficult conversations about his future may take place. Ultimately, Arenado’s desire is simple: he wants to win, and he hopes for another shot at the postseason. Despite his previous struggles in the playoffs, he remains determined to prove himself when the lights are brightest.
The big question now is whether Arenado will remain in St. Louis long enough to make that playoff push—or if he will decide to take matters into his own hands and push for a move that could put him in a better position to contend for a championship.
