MLB Rumors: Cardinals Could Trade Nolan Arenado To NL Team
Philadelphia wants to jolt an offense that keeps stalling in October, third base is the obvious spot to change, and Arenado is widely expected to be moved with a willingness to waive his no-trade clause.
The St. Louis Cardinals staged a goodbye-style sendoff at Busch, while Phillies boss Dave Dombrowski has never been shy about chasing a proven star when the market opens.
After exploring trade options for Nolan Arenado last winter, the #STLCards are expected to try again this offseason
— STL Sports Central (@STLSprtsCntrl) November 5, 2025
He is “willing to waive his no-trade clause” and “widely expected to be moved,” per Jeff Passan
The 34-year-old is coming off a down season, posting an 84 wRC+… pic.twitter.com/zPwyGtwcNw
Why Arenado fits the Phillies now
Third base is the position that lets Philadelphia act without touching Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, or Nick Castellanos, although there are reports that they could move Castellanos this winter.
Alec Bohm is one year from free agency and coming off a step back at the plate, which invites a rethink at the hot corner. Even with a down 2025, Arenado still grades as a plus defender who can turn contact into outs, and Citizens Bank Park could help him find some pull thump again.
In a lineup full of thunder, Philadelphia does not need peak Arenado to justify the move. They need steadier third base run prevention and timely extra-base hits when it matters.
Nolan Arenado has likely played his last game as a Cardinal https://t.co/byxK34wMoD pic.twitter.com/Bgv0jPQgHZ
— Gateway Grinders (@gatewaygrinders) November 5, 2025
How a Phillies–Cardinals trade could work
St. Louis is open for business and has shopped Arenado before. The salary is real over the next two seasons, but the Cardinals have been willing to eat money to move him, which keeps the acquisition cost to more modest prospects and makes the contract palatable for Philadelphia.
A framework that sends Bohm out in a separate deal or leverages mid-tier pieces while St. Louis retains cash is exactly the type of blueprint Dombrowski has used to close big gaps quickly. If the Phillies want a high-floor defender who stabilizes third and reshapes their infield run prevention, this is the move for them.
Photo Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
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