The Cardinals are limping toward the MLB trade deadline on track to have one of their worst seasons in recent memory.
Even so, the Cardinals are not willing to move on from Nolan Arenado in a rebuilding effort. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said as much before the team's 3-1 loss to the Brewers on Saturday, addressing a Thursday report from The Los Angeles Times that indicated trade talks were ongoing with the Dodgers.
"We are not trading him, have not asked him to waive his no-trade clause," Mozeliak said Saturday before the loss (via MLB.com), "so at this time we are working on building for our future success."
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The Times had previously reported on Thursday that Arenado, an eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, was central to trade discussions between L.A. and St. Louis. The Times, citing a source close to the situation, reported Arenado would be willing to waive his contract's no-trade clause for the Dodgers.
The Cardinals didn't officially address the report until Mozeliak said Arenado wasn't on the trade block. Arenado, speaking to reporters following a Friday loss to the Cubs, said he hasn't spoken to anyone about moving on from St. Louis.
"I haven’t talked to anybody, really," Arenado told reporters (via the St. Louis Dispatch). "So, I don’t know where those reports came from, but when (Mozeliak) comes up to me and have those conversations, we will have them."
"Whatever happens happens," Arenado said at another point. "It’s hard for me to sit here and speak on these things. Like I said, I think the Cardinals, those guys are smart up there, and they’re looking at every way to make this team better. That’s just how I see it."
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Arenado, 32, is under contract through the 2027 season and has a .282/.331/.513 slash line this year. Trading him would mark a significant rebuild attempt by the Cardinals for this year and beyond.
St. Louis is in the midst of a three-game losing streak, adding to a 46-60 record that has placed them last in the NL Central division. The team is also 11 games back of an NL wild card spot, where it has seen its season end each of the last three years.