The slugging third baseman Nolan Arenado (34), who was the most feared hitter by Ryu Hyun-jin (Hanwha Eagles) during his Major League Baseball days, gave up the no-trade clause he had used a year ago. He felt he had become a hindrance to himself on the St. Louis Cardinals and ultimately agreed to the trade.
St. Louis on the 14th (Korean time) carried out a trade sending Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks and receiving pitcher Jack Martinez. The deal was made on the condition that St. Louis pays $31 million of the $42 million remaining on Arenado's two-year contract. Arizona gets Arenado at a bargain of $11 million over two years.
Arenado had a no-trade clause that covered all teams. It was a clause inserted when he signed an eight-year, $260 million extension with the Colorado Rockies in February 2019. Last winter St. Louis was on the verge of completing a trade with the Houston Astros, but Arenado used his no-trade clause and the deal fell through.
Although trade rumors persisted throughout the winter, Arenado, who remained with the team, had a career-low season last year, batting .237 in 107 games (95 hits in 401 at-bats) with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs and an OPS of .666. From 2024 he experienced a decline as he entered his mid-30s amid setbacks from back and wrist injuries. Meanwhile, St. Louis also clearly shifted toward a rebuilding direction, and Arenado expanded the list of teams he would waive his no-trade clause for from five to eight. One of the newly added teams was Arizona, and his five-year run with St. Louis came to an end.
On the 15th, The Athletic reported Arenado said, "Looking at St. Louis's moves over the past few years, it was clear they had stages they had to go through. They needed to move young players to find out who they are and what the team's identity is. In some sense I felt I became an obstacle in that process. I kept feeling that last year."
St. Louis finished last year 78-84 (.481), placing fourth in the National League Central, ending the season with fewer than 80 wins for the first time in 18 years since 2007. After trading veteran starter Sonny Gray and first baseman Wilson Contreras (both to the Boston Red Sox) following the season, and now moving Arenado, the club has firmly pressed the rebuilding button. With Arenado gone, third base in St. Louis now appears likely to be claimed by the team's top prospect, Korean-born infielder JJ Weatherholt.
Jaim Bloom, St. Louis's chief baseball operations officer, said, "It was never an easy decision. Arenado is a player who will one day be in the Hall of Fame, but from my seat I have to make the best decision for the team without getting swept up in emotions." Arenado said, "Most of the conversations I had with Bloom were about wanting to give opportunities to young players. It wasn't to say I was a hindrance, but they wanted to assess the resources the team had."
Having clashed with club executives who were stingy with investments during his Colorado days and demanding a trade, Arenado came to St. Louis in February 2021. He dreamed of winning with a traditional powerhouse, but he only made the postseason in his first two years. Even then, he lost all three wild-card games, and the team missed the postseason for three consecutive years. Although his fandom is known for its loyalty, attendance has also sharply declined.
Arenado said, "I love the time I spent in St. Louis," but added, "Losing was tough. It was painful to see Busch Stadium not full. When I first came in the trade the stands were really packed. It was loud and fun. I am grateful to the fans who came even when the results weren't there," offering his farewell.
Now he will make a fresh start with a new team in Arizona. With his family living in Phoenix, Arenado expects a rebound in the hitter-friendly Chase Field. He said, "When a new chapter opens you get energy. Arizona is a young team and they work hard. Being with young, hungry players will help me stay young as well. I hold high expectations for myself both at the plate and in the field," expressing confidence in a revival.
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