Nolan Arenado raised some eyebrows Wednesday.
Arenado, who has been the subject of trade rumors for months, was in the Cardinals’ starting lineup for St. Louis’ spring training matchup with the New York Yankees. That wasn’t unordinary in a vacuum, but as The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty sarcastically outlined on X, there were multiple notable elements involved with the gameday decision.
“I want to emphasize how normal it is for a 12-year veteran to take a three-hour spring road trip to one of the teams he reportedly would consider getting traded to despite his full no-trade clause,” Kuty posted.
Thus, many wondered if Arenado wanted to play against the Yankees to put himself on display for a potential trade suitor. Aaron Boone’s club reportedly is one of five teams on Arenado’s list of acceptable destinations, and two of those franchises probably can be ruled out. The Boston Red Sox no longer make sense with Alex Bregman in the fold and Arenado already rejected an opportunity to join the Houston Astros.
But according to the 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, he didn’t suit up against the reigning American League champions to increase his chances of moving to the Bronx.
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“I didn’t come here for that,” Arenado told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Day 3 of spring training. That wouldn’t be a good day to showcase myself. I’m not ready for that.”
After Bregman joined the Red Sox, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak acknowledged Arenado was likely going to be on St. Louis’ roster at the start of the regular season. So while an Arenado deal probably isn’t imminent, his name probably will start being floated in rumors consistently once the trade deadline is on the horizon.
