As it appears likely that Nolan Arenado will stay with the St. Louis Cardinals, multiple young players are left in limbo. At the beginning of the offseason, the Cardinals announced a “re-tool“, focusing on trimming payroll and internal development.
The first of these objectives, trimming payroll, was reached expediently. The Cardinals declined club options on starting pitchers Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. They let veterans Andrew Kittredge and Paul Goldschmidt walk in free agency. They even reached a below-market deal with star closer Ryan Helsley in his final year of arbitration.
Yet, they have run into a significant roadblock in the form of one of their only remaining veterans. The three years and roughly $75 million left on Arenado’s contract, as well as a complete no-trade clause, have made finding a trade partner for the 34-year-old difficult, if not impossible.
Trade Talks Collapse Arenado’s Stay Impacts Cardinals Roster
Arenado has already vetoed a deal that would have sent him to the Houston Astros. While he has a list of teams that he is willing to accept a trade to, most of those trade partners look unlikely as the free agent market narrows.
The Cardinals are, admittedly, dependent upon the decision of free agent Alex Bregman, who provides greater offensive potential to a team than Arenado. As the days tick closer to spring training, it seems increasingly likely that Arenado will stay with the Cardinals for next season.
While a series of departures in free agency has opened up innings for several Cardinals youngsters, Arenado remaining with the team complicates things in the Cardinals’ infield.
Young slugger Nolan Gorman would likely get the starting role at third base if an Arenado trade were to happen. Gorman certainly can hit for power, but lost his starting role at second base mid-way through last season and was ultimately sent to the minors due to inconsistency at the plate. Through 107 games, Gorman slashed .203/.400/.271 with 19 HR and 50 RBI, a significant downturn from his 27-homer 2023 season.
That’s 3 homers in the series and 27 on the year for Nolan Gorman.
pic.twitter.com/fzUdkn82Lm
— MLB (@MLB) September 7, 2023
He was, however, drafted as a third baseman and could benefit from a move back to a more comfortable defensive position. Given the state of the Cardinals roster, it is unlikely that Gorman will return to second base regularly.
Barring injuries to the outfield, newly-crowned franchise cornerstone Brendan Donovan has essentially locked down the starting second base spot. If Gorman is to get the innings he needs to develop, they will have to come in spot starts at third base or designated hitter. Innings between both of these positions will be hard to come by.
A Snubbed Prospect
The Cardinals’ inability to trade Arenado will have another profound effect on the roster this season. This will limit, if not eliminate, the opportunities of budding prospect Thomas Saggese. Saggese, a utility infielder, impressed heavily at Triple-A last season, slashing .253/.438/.313 through 125 games with Triple-A Memphis.
Acquired in the Jordan Montgomery trade in 2023, Saggese is the fourth-ranked prospect in the Cardinals organization. His combination of defensive versatility and ability to get on base slots him for a major role in the Cardinals’ re-tool.
Saggese, who will appear in Spring Training, has a good shot of making the roster this season if he performs to his previous standards in Jupiter. If an Arenado trade took place, Saggese could take significant innings at various infield positions, taking on some of the utility roles from Brendan Donovan.
Yet, again, Arenado’s continued presence on the roster complicates the Cardinals’ ability to provide innings to their developing players. Saggese will likely stay at Triple-A Memphis for most of this year if the Cardinals do not trade Arenado.
Main Photo: © Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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