It appears Nolan Arenado is staying in St. Louis after all.
After months of trade rumors surrounding the All-Star third baseman, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak indicated Thursday that Arenado will “likely” be with the team on Opening Day.
“I think the mindset right now is he’s likely going to be a part of our club at this point,” Mozeliak told reporters, adding that he “definitely feel[s] like it’s a better chance than not” that Arenado is at the hot corner when the team begins its season on March 27.
Just one day ago, Mozeliak left the door open to dealing Arenado away.
“Could something happen in the next week? Possibly. Could this go into camp? Possibly,” Mozeliak said Wednesday. “So, I don’t have a definitive answer. Patience is required.”
Arenado, who has a no-trade clause, was nearly dealt to the Astros in December, before he nixed the deal.
On Wednesday, MLB.com’s John Denton reported that Mozeliak had been limited to trying to trade with the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres and Angels.
That list had included the Dodgers, Padres, Angels, Phillies, Mets or Red Sox in December.
Mozeliak’s comments come a day after the biggest name on the third base market, Alex Bregman, came off the board when he signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox.
Arenado, the 10-time Gold Glove winner, who turns 34 in April, hit .272/.325/.394 with 16 home runs for the Cardinals in 2024.
He has three seasons left on an eight-year, $260 million deal he signed with the Rockies in 2019.
