After letting rumors about Nolan Arenado potentially being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Los Angeles Dodgers spread like wildfire, Cardinals executive John Mozeliak finally doused them with some much-needed words of stability.
St. Louis Cardinals: Rumors of Nolan Arenado trade finally squashed by front office
Following the report by The Los Angeles Times on Thursday that, “The Dodgers have engaged in talks with the St. Louis Cardinals to acquire the eight-time All-Star third baseman, according to people with knowledge of the situation but who are not authorized to speak publicly,” Mozeliak finally broke his silence on the situation on Saturday after an uncomfortable 48 hours for Cardinals fans.
“I have stated we are not trading him, have not asked him to waive his (no-trade clause),” Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Saturday night for this article. “So at this time, we are working on building future success.”
The trade of Arenado would have sent shockwaves throughout the National League, and it’s hardly a surprise that the St. Louis Cardinals will continue to build around not only Arenado, but reigning NL Most Valuable Player Paul Goldschmidt at first base for what will be a reboot ahead of the 2024 campaign. While plenty of other Cardinals are expected to be traded before the MLB trade deadline expires at 6 p.m. (Eastern) on Tuesday, August 1, Arenado’s name can be crossed off the Los Angeles wish list and the MLB rumors mill.
Arenado had earlier voiced his assertion that he had not asked for his no-trade clause to be waived in order to be acquired by the Dodgers. However, until Mozeliak finally made it crystal clear that the front office and Arenado were on the same page with the future of the eight-time All-Star in St. Louis, there was still plenty of room for rumors to fly.
With this chapter closed, St. Louis can now focus all of its attention on how to maximize its return as a seller at the MLB trade deadline.