In a shocking statement at the 2025 Winter Meetings, St. Louis Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom made it clear that “letting go” or cutting the contract with 3B Nolan Arenado is not in the plan. This news immediately caused a stir among MLB fans and media, as Arenado’s future has been the subject of speculation for some time.
In the 2025 season, Arenado recorded a .237/.289/.377 line with 12 home runs, far below the superstar standards expected of him. His contract has two years remaining, worth more than $40 million per year, with a no-trade clause, making trading or cutting the contract a difficult problem for the Cardinals. This situation has many fans worried that he will become an “obstacle” in the team’s rebuilding plan.
In a press conference today, Bloom stated:
“If we can’t trade him, we’re willing to keep him for the 2026 season. Releasing him is never an option.”
He emphasized that the Cardinals are still listening to trade opportunities, but until a worthy partner is found, Arenado’s position remains intact. This is a clear message to both fans and other teams: if they want Arenado, they have to negotiate seriously.
Keeping Arenado puts the Cardinals in a difficult position. The team is looking to clear the payroll to create opportunities for the younger players, but Arenado’s huge contract slows that down. While trading would help ease the burden of salary, finding a partner willing to take the risk on a declining star is not easy. Bloom is clearly keeping his cards close to his chest by not releasing him, creating leverage for future negotiations.
Bloom’s announcement somewhat reassures fans: the Cardinals are in no rush to “throw away” an icon of the past. To the media and other teams, the signal is clear: to get Arenado, you have to accept a huge salary and negotiate carefully. Arenado also gets his last chance: either a reasonable trade, or another season to prove his worth.
Chaim Bloom threw a grenade at MLB today: cutting Nolan Arenado’s contract? “Not in the plans.” The Cardinals will have to balance preserving value, freeing up salary, and keeping their reputation, as the new season approaches. Given Arenado’s legendary history, and the pressure on the team to rebuild, this story will surely heat up in the coming weeks.
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