Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals $260 Million Star 'Back On The Hall Of Fame Track', According To MLB Pundit

The St. Louis fan favorite is ready to reverse the aging process
Nate Hagerty|
Mar 27, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) reacts as he receives a curtain call after hitting a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Mar 27, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) reacts as he receives a curtain call after hitting a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals failed to trade superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado over the winter but perhaps retaining him will prove to be a blessing in disguise.

The former Colorado Rockies slugger, whose eight-year, $260 million contract expires after 2027, struggled offensively with the Cardinals the past two seasons. With St. Louis looking to rebuild this past offseason, Arenado was shopped in the trade market to no avail.

Fortunately, Arenado remains committed to winning in St. Louis and perhaps his winter improvements could help the Cardinals get back on track this season.

"Yeah, I think it's bold because he didn't go anywhere -- I don't know why he's not a (New York) Yankee," The Athletic's Eno Sarris stated Friday during an interview with MLB Network's Brian Kenny on MLB Now, after making a bold prediction that Arenado will get back on the Hall of Fame track this season. "Everyone thought he was going to go somewhere. St. Louis doesn't want him. Everyone thinks he's toast but his bat speed in spring was up and I know that he's done some bat speed training over the offseason to get his bat speed back."

This isn't the first time Sarris has discussed Arenado's winter improvements. Considering that sluggers' bat speeds typically decline after they hit 30 years old, it's encouraging to see that the 10-time Gold Glove defender's swing is growing stronger -- defying his age of 33.

During Thursday's Opening Day victory over the Minnesota Twins, Arenado belted a no-brainer home run to the left field stands at Busch Stadium, reminding everyone that he remains a five-time Silver Slugger who shouldn't be disregarded after two poor offensive campaigns in 2023 and 2024.

Although expectations are low for St. Louis' playoff hopes this year, perhaps a resurgent offensive campaign from likely future Hall of Fame candidate Arenado could propel the Cardinals to an unlikely postseason appearance for the first time since 2022.

More MLB: Could Former Cardinals Top Prospect End Surprising 28-Year Drought For St. Louis?

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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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