The St. Louis Cardinals made three significant trades before the trade deadline, but the biggest headlines surrounded the players they chose to keep, rather than move. Nolan Arenado remained with the Cardinals despite widespread speculation about a potential trade in the days leading up to the deadline, raising questions about why the team declined offers involving their star third baseman.

Arenado’s Discussions with Cardinals Leadership and Trade Preferences

MLB.com’s John Denton revealed that Arenado recently met with John Mozeliak, the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, during ongoing trade talks. According to Denton, Arenado’s preferred list of teams he would accept a trade to has remained unchanged since last offseason, limiting the Cardinals’ options in negotiations.

All indications are that 3B Nolan Arenado will remain with the Cardinals through today’s deadline, per a source familiar with the negotiations. Arenado met recently with POBO John Mozeliak and there has been no change in the list of teams he would accept a trade to as of now,

John Denton shared.

Teams on Arenado’s Trade Approval List and Their Moves

Last offseason, Arenado reportedly provided a list of five teams he would approve trades to: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Houston Astros. Since then, these teams have made moves that affected their interest in Arenado. For example, the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon, and the Astros added Carlos Correa, reducing their need for Arenado. Meanwhile, the Padres and Red Sox were either inactive or not linked to a deal with the Cardinals at the deadline. The Dodgers, despite fan expectations, did not aggressively pursue Arenado during this period.

Future Possibilities Beyond the Trade Deadline

With the trade deadline passed and Arenado still in St. Louis, attention now shifts to the offseason, when interest in acquiring him may intensify. Whether a team will make a compelling offer that fits both the Cardinals’ and Arenado’s criteria remains uncertain, but the conversations leading up to and following the deadline suggest Arenado’s future continues to be a key storyline for the Cardinals organization and its fans. His stance on preferred destinations will likely play a central role in any future moves.

Significance of Arenado’s Decision for St. Louis

Retaining Arenado for the remainder of the season allows the Cardinals to maintain a cornerstone player during a critical period, but it also highlights the challenges of trading top talent when player preferences limit options. How the club navigates these limitations as the offseason approaches will impact their roster construction and competitive outlook. For now, Arenado remains a key piece for St. Louis as they work toward playoff goals and assess their strategic direction.