For years, the St. Louis Cardinals lineup revolved around a rock-solid presence at third base—someone who could change a game with a single swing. He was the go-to guy in clutch moments, the biggest threat to opposing pitchers, and a permanent fixture in the cleanup spot. But on Monday night in Detroit, that familiar dynamic shifted.
In a surprising turn, Nolan Arenado—an eight-time All-Star and one of the best third basemen in the game—was batting sixth. And the most surprising part? It wasn’t a quiet move made by management behind the scenes. It was a decision Arenado made himself.
Speaking to John Denton of Cardinals.com, Arenado explained, “We changed the lineup because the guys ahead of me are doing well, and those hitting behind me deserve to move up.” It wasn’t just a lineup adjustment—it felt like a personal reckoning. Arenado has been struggling by his own high standards, slashing .241/.316/.371 through 44 games, with only four home runs and 19 RBIs.
When asked about his performance, Arenado didn’t offer excuses. “Just play better,” he said frankly. “I don’t really have an answer… It’s been a while since I’ve felt like I could play the way I’m supposed to. I don’t know if it’s coming back.”
His honesty reveals how tough this stretch has been. This is the same player who used to hit 30 home runs and rack up 100 RBIs like clockwork for seven straight years. But after finishing third in NL MVP voting in 2022, his production has sharply declined—home run totals falling from 30 to 26 to 16, and now just four.
Arenado remains an elite defender, but it’s hard to ignore his offensive downturn. The silver lining? The Cardinals are winning—12 out of their last 14 games—despite limited contributions from their $260 million star. Maybe moving down in the lineup is a way for Arenado to rediscover his spark. Or, possibly, it’s the beginning of a bigger change, with trade rumors already swirling.
Could Arenado be on the move, or is a rebound still in reach?
Meanwhile, the Cardinals, once written off as sellers, are turning heads. Now 27-22 and just a few games behind the Cubs in the NL Central, they’ve quietly become a team to watch. And with Chaim Bloom—former Red Sox executive—set to take over as president of baseball operations after the season, change is clearly coming. But don’t expect flashy moves; Bloom is known for being deliberate and strategic.
One potential low-risk target? Former Rockies flamethrower Daniel Bard.
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