Before the 2021 season, the Cardinals made a blockbuster trade by acquiring Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. This trade was met with positive reviews given Arenado’s talent on both offense and defense. After the 2021 season, Arenado had an opt-out in his contract that would have made him a free agent. However, Arenado opted to stay in St. Louis with perhaps the hope that the Cardinals were building a championship team. Unfortunately, the Cardinals have been eliminated early from the postseason in both 2021 and 2022 and missed it completely last season. This is not what Arenado decided to stay for and the Cardinals are failing him miserably.
A Hyped-Up Trade
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore the 2021 season, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired all-star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. To acquire the all-star, St. Louis gave the Rockies five top prospects in return. The Cardinals would also acquire $51 million from the Rockies to help offset the $260 million extension he signed back in 2019. This trade was met with rave reviews from both the media and Cardinals fans. Arenado was viewed as someone who could greatly help St. Louis on both offense and defense. He was also seen as someone who could help get St. Louis back to the World Series.
Nolan Arenado Has Had A Lot Of Individual Success In St. Louis
Embed from Getty ImagesNolan Arenado has thrived since coming to St. Louis. Arenado has put up a slash line of .271/.328/.495 with 90 home runs, 301 RBI, and an OPS of .824. Arenado has also been an all-star all three seasons he’s been a Cardinal. Other individual awards include two gold gloves and a silver slugger award. He’s proven that the Cardinals made an excellent move to acquire him from the Rockies.
Loyalty Still Exists In Sports
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite having an opt-out after the 2021 season, Nolan Arenado admirably decided to stay in St. Louis and not become a free agent. Given what the all-star third baseman has accomplished, he could have easily commanded over $300 million. In an era where most players immediately opt-out for more money; it was pretty refreshing to see that loyalty can still exist in sports.
The Cardinals Have Consistently Failed In The Postseason
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Nolan Arenado has had a lot of individual success, the Cardinals haven’t fared well in October. In two of Arenado’s three seasons in St. Louis, the Cardinals haven’t even won a playoff series. They also haven’t advanced past the Wild Card round. Arenado certainly isn’t without blame as his bat seems to disappear in the postseason. Last year, St. Louis missed the postseason completely.
Arenado Is Beginning To Exit His Prime
Embed from Getty ImagesTime is ticking for the Cardinals to win a ring with Nolan Arenado on the roster. He’ll be turning 33 in April and Arenado will soon begin to exit his prime. Last year marked the first time in over ten years that Arenado didn’t win a gold glove. Excluding the COVID year, Arenado also saw statistical drops in home runs, RBI, slugging, extra-base hits, and OPS. Arenado is slowly declining and his best years in baseball are now numbered.
The Cardinals Are Failing Nolan Arenado
Embed from Getty ImagesNolan Arenado didn’t sign up to be in a similar situation he was in with the Rockies. Like the Cardinals, whenever the Rockies would either miss the postseason or get eliminated early. Last season, the Cardinals lost 91 games and finished in last place, missing the postseason. While Arenado hasn’t been productive whenever his team is in the postseason; St. Louis has failed to make competing for a championship a serious possibility. Arenado is beginning to exit his prime, it would be a shame if he ended his career never having the opportunity to play deep into the postseason.
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