WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Although the Houston Astros re-engaged in brief trade discussions with the St. Louis Cardinals regarding third baseman Nolan Arenado, multiple sources said that no deal is gaining traction, nor has Arenado’s thought process changed for now about approving a trade to the Astros.
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“I don’t feel anything is imminent,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Saturday afternoon. “I can’t comment or chase every rumor.”
The Astros circled back with the Cardinals soon after franchise cornerstone Alex Bregman agreed to a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox, according to multiple sources. One source described a discussed deal between the two teams as a “non-starter.”
Another source called it a “long shot” that the Astros acquire Arenado, who blocked a trade to Houston in early December. MLB.com first reported on Saturday that the Astros had re-engaged with the Cardinals.
In the offseason, Arenado presented Mozeliak with a list of five teams he would consider waiving his full no-trade clause for if the Cardinals proceeded forward with moving him, multiple sources said. Though the Astros were originally listed, Arenado ultimately invoked his no-trade clause due to the timing of the deal.
Arenado was unsure about multiple factors, sources said, including the trajectory of the Astros organization. Houston had traded Kyle Tucker days prior and was unlikely to bring back Bregman, which gave Arenado pause.
Also, Arenado wanted more clarity about his own market, which was less established at the time. He did not give the Astros a definitive no, per sources, though he said for the time being that he would not waive his no-trade clause. The Astros pivoted shortly after, signing Christian Walker to a three-year deal.
That the Astros have even re-engaged with the Cardinals accentuates their skepticism about a depth-starved infield without Jose Altuve. Inquiring again about Arenado also underscored the seriousness of Altuve’s spring training work in left field.
Trading for Arenado would guarantee Altuve is Houston’s everyday left fielder and move current third baseman Isaac Paredes to second base, a position numerous rival evaluators have questioned whether he can handle.
For now, Mauricio Dubón, Luis Guillorme, Brendan Rodgers and Zack Short are competing to play second base on days Altuve plays left field.
(Top photo of Nolan Arenado: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
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