(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The St. Louis Cardinals are entering the All-Star break with a highly disappointing 38-52 record.
They are last in the NL Central division; and everybody expected them to compete for the top spot.
The team has a couple of stars in Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt and a very promising young hitter in Jordan Walker, plus an on-base machine in Brendan Donovan and other useful position players.
The biggest problem, however, has been pitching, as only Jordan Montgomery has been able to perform with some level of consistency.
As a result, the season has been derailed much earlier than anticipated.
The Cards can theoretically bounce back in the second half, but it’s not easy to overcome such a considerable deficit in the standings.
With the team in last place, there is a chance they consider trading some of their stars and start a retooling process.
#STLCards 3B Nolan Arenado said he wouldn’t be shocked if he’s traded, per @JonHeyman.
Arenado, 32, is under contract through the 2027 season. pic.twitter.com/TfiKy8f742
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) July 11, 2023
Speaking of Arenado, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the player stated he wouldn’t be shocked if he was traded.
There is, however, an important caveat in the situation, as Cardinals insider Derrick Goold reports: Arenado has a no-trade clause.
Nolan Arenado has a full no-trade clause. https://t.co/XTU3apVf2E
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 11, 2023
He has the ability to veto any trade, so if he is indeed moved, he has the right to pick the right situation for him.
Despite a horrible start, he remains a star at the hot corner.
He has 19 home runs and a .850 OPS, still excellent production from a third baseman.
He is expensive, yes, but helps both as a hitter and as a fielder.
Arenado could be one of the stories of the deadline.
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