MLB Rumors: Why the Cardinals are unlikely to trade Nolan Arenado

In an interview with the New York Post, St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado said that he was bracing for the team to sell at the trade deadline — and even admitted the possibility that he could be on the move.

But every indication is that the Cardinals have no intention on moving either Arenado or star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

The Cardinals view Arenado as an integral part of their franchise in 2023 and beyond. They were thrilled when he opted into the remainder of his nine-year, $275 million contract and was set to be in St. Louis until 2028. Their organizational thinking has not changed. They want Arenado and even if they did look to trade him, the presence of a full no-trade clause would make any deal even more difficult.

MLB Rumors: Who might the Cardinals look to trade?

With Arenado and Goldschmidt unlikely to be traded, the Cardinals have four obvious trade candidates: pitchers Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery, outfielder Tyler O'Neill, and reliever Jordan Hicks.

The trade market for starting pitching is considered weak by rival executives, which could mean the Cardinals get more in return from pitching-needy teams in exchange for Flaherty and Montgomery. O'Neill is a player that the Cardinals are very open to moving and a change of scenery could be what's best for both sides.

Hicks, meanwhile, is a highly talented reliever whose fastball can touch 105 mph. He will surely attract trade interest and is a pending free agent. If a team wants a controllable reliever, perhaps they could ask the Cardinals about reliever Giovanny Gallegos who signed a two-year, $11 million contract extension through 2024 that includes a team option for 2025.

MLB Rumors: Might Eduardo Rodriguez be the best arm available at trade deadline?

The buzz amongst executives is that this trade deadline could lack the big names that have been dealt in years past. Perhaps that changes in the coming weeks — there is a lot up in the air two weeks before the deadline — but one name to watch is Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, 30, has been dominant in 2023, posting a 2.64 ERA in 71.2 innings (12 starts). He is signed to a five-year, $77 million contract, but the presence of an opt-out after this season makes any potential trade tricky for a potential acquiring team.

If Rodriguez continues at this pace, he will surely opt out of the contract. If he gets hurt, he will surely opt into the remaining three years, $49 million on his contract.

Making a potential trade even more tricky: Rodriguez was out one month due to a finger injury and in his return, he allowed vie runs in four innings against the Oakland A's.