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This was as unexpected as it can be, as Nolan Arenado has exercised his no-trade clause to block a potential move to the Houston Astros. The Saint Louis Cardinals and Astros had been deep in discussions, aiming to finalize a deal that would send the eight-time All-Star to Houston.
However, Arenado's decision to stay put has thrown a significant wrench into those plans. The trade discussions were centered around sending Arenado to the Astros with the Cardinals willing to contribute $15-20 million to cover part of his salary.
This financial arrangement would have left the Astros with a commitment of $40-45 million over the next three years. Despite these efforts, Arenado informed the Cardinals that he would not waive his no-trade clause for a move to Houston.
Money could have been an issue
Nolan Arenado's decision comes as he enters his age-34 season, with three years and $74 million remaining on his contract. This contract includes a $10 million contribution from the Colorado Rockies, part of the deal that brought Arenado to St. Louis in 2021.
The Cardinals, aiming to reset their roster for the 2025 season, saw trading Arenado as a strategic move to help achieve that goal. In response to the blocked trade, Cardinals president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, stated that the team remains in active discussions with multiple teams and is optimistic about finding a suitable deal.
Mozeliak emphasized that while the trade with the Astros fell through, there are still other options on the table. Arenado's agent, Joel Wolfe, added that Arenado is open to waiving his no-trade clause if the right situation arises. However, it appears that Houston does not fit Arenado's criteria for a move at this time.