LAS VEGAS — A yr in the past, the St. Louis Cardinals almost traded third baseman Nolan Arenado whereas pitcher Sonny Grey instructed the group he needed to remain. This time round, each gamers could possibly be on the transfer, starting with Arenado, who has most likely performed his final sport as a Cardinal.
“His time with the Cardinals has been actually good,” Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, mentioned from the GM conferences Tuesday. “All of us really feel it is best to discover a completely different match. We’ll work on that, and we’ll work on that with him.”
Arenado, 34, battled accidents final season whereas hitting .237 with 12 house runs and a career-low .289 on-base proportion in 107 video games. He has two years left on a nine-year, $275 million contract he initially signed with the Colorado Rockies earlier than the 2019 season.
Arenado invoked his no-trade clause final offseason, turning down a deal to the Houston Astros, however Bloom indicated the time is true for Arenado to maneuver on.
“We’re on the identical web page with Nolan,” Bloom mentioned.
Arenado, whom Bloom known as a “Corridor of Fame participant,” is an eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner, however he hasn’t earned both of these honors the previous two seasons. His choices to be an on a regular basis beginning third baseman could possibly be restricted, as will probably be his suitors, league sources instructed ESPN.
In the meantime, Grey additionally has a no-trade clause he was not keen to waive in previous years. Bloom indicated Grey is extra open to it this offseason.
“We have undoubtedly been listening on him,” Bloom mentioned. “He is nonetheless one of many higher pitchers within the league. With the place we’re and pondering long run … we really feel like there could be one thing there that is smart. We’ll proceed to discover that.”
Grey, 36, went 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA final yr whereas making each begin for the Cardinals. That sturdiness is enticing to groups, league sources instructed ESPN. So is his contract. He has one yr left on a three-year, $75 million deal that features a group possibility for 2027. The variety of suitors could possibly be “within the double digits,” in keeping with one other league supply. Grey has pitched within the large leagues for 13 years, making the All-Star group as just lately as 2023. He has a profession 3.58 ERA in 330 begins.
St. Louis would possibly transfer on from each gamers just because it’s in retooling mode and the 2 older veterans merely do not match anymore.
“It is about constructing our core to the place we will get this group again to the place it must be,” Bloom mentioned of the group’s offseason technique. “Taking the required steps — not taking shortcuts — to construct this group again to the place we will compete for the division and World Collection.”