Cardinals Getting Minimal Return on $275 Million Investment in Nolan Arenado
By Mark Powell | May 22, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals have emerged as one of the pleasant surprises of the 2025 MLB season. Even with the Chicago Cubs off to a strong start, the Cardinals remain within striking distance in the NL Central — three games behind and four above .500 at the time of writing. A mix of promising young talent and seasoned veterans like Miles Mikolas, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado has fueled their competitive push.
However, Arenado has become a glaring issue. The veteran third baseman is falling short of expectations this season, and the massive $275 million contract tied to him looks increasingly burdensome. From a performance standpoint, the Cardinals are simply not getting their money’s worth — and they know it.
The front office, led by John Mozeliak and Chaim Bloom, has explored trade options for Arenado multiple times. At one point, they had a deal lined up with the Houston Astros, but Arenado declined due to his no-trade clause — a significant roadblock for the Cardinals in any deal. Other interested clubs, like the Detroit Tigers (now boasting MLB’s best record), weren’t on Arenado’s approved list. Even the Yankees and Red Sox, once seen as potential fits, have since moved on to other options.
That leaves St. Louis stuck with an underperforming star. Arenado’s current slash line — a .695 OPS and a .242 batting average with diminished power — reflects a noticeable decline. His offensive struggles have become a real concern, especially as his home run output continues to dip since leaving Coors Field.
In response, the Cardinals recently dropped Arenado down in the batting order. While his defense remains reliable, his offensive contributions have not lived up to his reputation or contract. Even Arenado is aware of his shortcomings.
“We switched the lineup [because] the guys are playing well in front of me, and the guys who were hitting behind me, they should move up in front of me,” Arenado admitted.
Arenado, once an MVP-caliber hitter, now sounds uncertain about his own future on the field.
“I don’t really have an answer. Just play better, play more the way I think I’m capable of,” he said. “But it’s been a minute since I’ve felt like I could play the way I should. So I don’t know if it’s coming back or not.”
It’s a candid, troubling admission — and one that sheds light on why the Cardinals were eager to trade him while his value remained intact. With his production waning and few viable trade destinations, St. Louis may be stuck holding a costly contract for a star whose prime is likely in the rearview mirror.
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