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MLB Rumors: Nolan Arenado blocks potential Astros trade amid talks with Cardinals | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

MLB Rumors: Nolan Arenado blocks potential Astros trade amid talks with Cardinals | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 24: St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) bats in the second inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 24, 2024 in Denver , Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Third baseman Nolan Arenado has informed the St. Louis Cardinals that he will not waive his no-trade clause to move to the Houston Astros, who have been negotiating a potential deal with the Redbirds for the eight-time All-Star .

Mark Feinsand, John Denton and Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported the news.

“It’s not known exactly why Arenado doesn’t want to go to the Astros, but given his desire to join a team that can win now, Houston’s trade of Kyle Tucker to the Cubs last week couldn’t have helped reach the 10 .” “Multi-time Gold Glove Award winner,” noted the MLB.com trio.

Katie Woo of The Athletic added more information about Arenado’s decision.

Katie Woo @katiejwoo

According to sources: Part of Arenado’s decision was based on a preference not to make a decision so early in the offseason. It’s unclear whether the Astros will continue to pursue Arenado heavily or move on to other options. #STLCards https://t.co/HyI2i8GVDu

Arenado, who is entering his age-34 season, hit .272 (.719 OPS) with 16 home runs and 71 RBI last year.

Feinsand, Denton and McTaggart added that there are “ongoing discussions” between St. Louis and Houston. However, another source noted that “it’s definitely not close.”

At this point, trade talks appear to be all but dead unless Arenado changes his mind. It also doesn’t look like discussions with other teams have been concluded at the moment.

“All I can say is that we have been in discussions with several teams and continue to do so, but I have nothing outstanding,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Wednesday, according to MLB.com. “We are still working on a lot of things and hope to have clarity at the start of the new year.”

A financial factor also plays a role here. Simply put, Mozeliak wants to remove Arenado’s contract from the team’s payroll.

“We both remain optimistic that both parties will remain somewhat happy,” Mozeliak said during winter meetings held in Dallas last week.

“(Arenado staying with the Cardinals) is a possibility, but I’m not sure that gets us where we want to be. From a financial perspective, if we’re trying to move our payroll – there are certainly other ways to do it, but (trade). Arenado would be a big help, but it also creates a runway for someone else.

As Feinsand, Denton and McTaggart noted, the Cardinals would have paid Houston $15 million to $20 million to repay the remainder of Arenado’s three-year, $74 million contract, $10 million of which was paid by the Colorado Rockies as part of their contract will be taken over in trading 2021. A total of $12 million of the deal will also be deferred.

So it’s unclear where the Astros will go from here at third base, and it’s also uncertain where Arenado will end up. However, there is plenty of time to resolve both situations as the hot oven season continues.

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