"I have no regrets on my decisions" – Nolan Arenado reflects on Cardinals’ disappointing season and his future in St. Louis
Since joining the St. Louis Cardinals, things have not gone according to plan for Nolan Arenado and the team. He experienced some personal regression, and the team has struggled. The Cardinals finished 83-79 and missed the playoffs.
Before the season concluded, Arenado reflected on it, seemingly feeling the mortality of his tenure.
“It’s frustrating," Arenado said in September, via the Atheltic. "Expectations are high, and unfortunately we haven’t reached them. I have no regrets on my decisions, I love playing in St. Louis. But fans, and players, expected a little bit more — and obviously, I wanted to play better here.”
Everyone anticipated tough conversations surrounding the aging stars the Cardinals had. Those conversations are either done or still ongoing, as Paul Goldschmidt is now a New York Yankee.
Arenado is highly likely a trade candidate.
“I always feel weird talking about the team, how we didn’t do this, we didn’t do that, when individually I didn’t perform the way I wanted," Arenado said. "It’s always a tough conversation to have.”
Arenado acknowledged that there were some bright spots in 2024, like the emergence of Masyn Winn and Alec Burleson. He just might not be around to see the fully-realized version.
Cardinals reject offer for Nolan Arenado
Two teams have already tried to trade for Nolan Arenado this offseason. The defensive award-winner was headed to the Houston Astros, but he refused to waive his no-trade clause to push the deal through. It eventually fell apart.
A new report suggests another team's effort didn't even get that far. The Yankees reportedly looked at reuniting Arenado with Goldschmidt in the Bronx; however, the Cardinals turned it down.
Reports from CBS Sports indicate that Arenado was willing to play with Goldschmidt again, but the Yankees' offer wasn't good enough. They reportedly tried to send former starter Marcus Stroman to St. Louis. Stroman has been pushed to the bullpen with the recent signing of Max Fried. However, the Cardinals reportedly want more for Arenado.