The St. Louis Cardinals missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, finishing the season with a 78-84 record and placing fourth in the National League Central. With a rebuild on the horizon, this offseason is shaping up to be a critical one for the franchise. Chaim Bloom has stepped in as the new president of baseball operations, replacing John Mozeliak, marking the start of a new chapter in St. Louis.
One thing that hasn’t changed from last offseason is the team’s intention to trade Nolan Arenado and reduce payroll. Last year, Arenado had a short list of teams he was willing to be dealt to, but he’s admitted that this time around, he’ll need to be more flexible with his trade preferences.
Mariners Are Nolan Arenado Fit
“Another American League contender, the Seattle Mariners, has one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball and a strong farm system that is actually loaded now with position player talent. Jerry Dipoto could easily see Arenado as a sneaky buy-low candidate to try to boost their World Series odds in 2026,” Jacobs wrote.
“The Mariners acquired Eugenio Suarez at the trade deadline this year to fill their hole at third base, but he’s set to hit free agency this offseason and could field a deal that is out of their comfort zone due to the lack of options in this year’s free agent market. Josh Naylor is also set to hit free agency this winter.”
Nolan Arenado had a rough 2025 season at the plate for St. Louis, posting a .237/.289/.377 slash line with 12 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .666 OPS. Despite his offensive struggles, he remains a defensive standout at third base, boasting a resume that includes eight All-Star selections, 10 Gold Gloves, and six Platinum Glove Awards.
With the Mariners in the hunt for a championship this October and Eugenio Suárez approaching free agency, they could be a logical trade partner for the Cardinals. A deal would allow St. Louis to shed some salary and potentially make room at third base for a younger player like JJ Wetherholt or Nolan Gorman.
Arenado’s offseason will be one to watch, but if he hopes to land with a contending team, he’ll need to broaden his list of approved trade destinations.
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