Adjusting to the new Nolan Arenado reality

By all appearances, Arenado will be a Cardinal for the foreseeable future. What does that mean for 2025 and perhaps beyond? Plus, some bonus Victor Scott II enthusiasm.

I am honor- and duty-bound to use the front office’s own words against them. Early in the offseason, John Mozeliak declared from the nearest available mountaintop that the lead priority of the winter was to trade Nolan Arenado in the name of advancing the reset-turned-transition and – more to the point, probably – sloughing off payroll obligations. Well, Grapefruit League play is ongoing, opening day is a month off, and Arenado is still outfitted in familiar red. By that essential measure, the offseason has been a failure for the Cardinals, at least when it comes to the desired level of roster churn.

However, I’m not here to yet again gnash teeth and rend garments over all that. Rather, I come to you in a state of serene acceptance. Yes, it’s possible a future trade for Arenado materializes – heck, maybe there’s even a spring fit with the Yankees – but the assumption in this space is that nothing’s happening anytime soon. So let’s stand on the premise that Arenado is going to be a Cardinal for 2025 and perhaps for the remaining life of his contract – i..e., through the 2027 season. First, let’s talk about what his return means for 2025.