Nolan Arenado Trade Rumors: Cardinals, Rockies Discussing Deal for All-Star 3B

Nolan Arenado may be on his way out of Colorado.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Thursday that the St. Louis Cardinals are "in discussions with the Rockies" about the third baseman, though "no deal appears close." 

The 29-year-old is entering his ninth year in the league, but he is doing so off his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2013. Still, he spent almost the entirety of the year playing through a shoulder injury sustained in his fifth game.  

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported earlier Thursday that the Rockies were open to offers for Arenado. 

The eight-time Gold Glove winner followed up his fifth consecutive All-Star campaign by hitting .253/.303/.434 in the pandemic-shortened season. In 2019, he posted a career-high .315 batting average with 118 RBI and 41 home runs, one shy of his career high. 

Ahead of that 2019 campaign, Arenado inked the largest deal in Rockies history when he signed an eight-year, $260 million extension, but shortly after doing so he became disgruntled with general manager Jeff Bridich. According to Rosenthal, Arenado became frustrated throughout the 2019 season, and after public feuding, said his GM was "very disrespectful." 

The Cardinals had veteran Matt Carpenter and Tommy Edman split time at third base in 2020, though Arenado would certainly be an offensive upgrade over either. Edman hit .250 with 26 RBI through 55 games last season, his second in the majors, while the 35-year-old Carpenter slashed a dismal .186/.325/.314 in 50 appearances.