Inside The Cardinals

Angels' Hot Start Could Ignite Huge Trade For $260 Million Cardinals Star

The Cardinals could end up trading Nolan Arenado after all.
Zach Pressnell|
Mar 15, 2025; Jupiter, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) looks on from the field against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2025; Jupiter, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) looks on from the field against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles AngelsSt. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have reportedly been trying to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado for the last few months. St. Louis is seemingly looking to enter a rebuild this season and trading Arenado would kickstart them in that direction.

While the star is past his prime years, he's still a very productive bat with Gold Glove level defense. But he's getting up there in age and he's attached to a massive contract, so his fit with in the Cardinals' future is questionable at best.

Arenado has a no-trade clause on his contract which has left him as unlikely to be traded. The veteran reportedly cleared a trade to six teams with one of them being the Los Angeles Angels.

Of the six reported teams on his list, the Angels have the biggest need at third base, but they haven't seemed to eager to swing a trade.

But Los Angeles has gotten off to quite a hot start this season. Through 13 games, the Angels are 8-5 and heating up as Mike Trout finds his stride at the highest level again. Their infield could use some help, though.

Tim Anderson is their everyday shortstop while Luis Rengifo mans third base. If the Angels are serious about winning this season, they would spend a bit more money to take on Arenado's contract and swing a huge trade for the star. He would be a huge addition in a depleted infield.

The Cardinals could likely get away with trading Arenado and around $10 million to $15 million to the Angels in exchange for a mid-tier prospect or two. This deal would be less about bringing in talented prospects and more about cleaering money from the team's expensive payroll.

More MLB: Cardinals Could Capitalize On Desperate Yankees' Big Weakness With Massive Trade

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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