Nolan Arenado took what’s likely his final bow at Busch Stadium on Sunday, and the Cardinals made sure he got the sendoff he deserved. Manager Oli Marmol had the six-time Platinum Glove winner in the starting lineup despite needing a day off, then pulled him before the first pitch so the crowd could show their appreciation.
It’s a classy move for a player who’s almost certainly getting traded this winter.
After the game, Arenado reflected on his five years in St. Louis with the kind of grace you’d expect from a veteran who knows the business.
“Whatever happens, I really enjoyed my time here and I was really happy that I got traded here. I have no regrets about it. I think some people wonder about it, but I have zero regrets about when I opted in to stay. I love this place, but change is definitely needed.”
That last part tells you everything about where the Cardinals are headed. Arenado gets it – this organization is pivoting to youth, and there’s no place for a 33-year-old making $27 million next season in that plan.
He didn’t stop there, either. Arenado took accountability for the team’s struggles while thanking the fanbase that’s supported him through the ups and downs.
“The fans here have always been great; they want a winner, a good team and competitive baseball. I want that for them, and I wish we could have done that a little better the last few years. That’s why I came here — because I love the fans and the way they appreciate the game.”
The reality is Arenado’s Cardinals tenure never delivered what either side envisioned when he arrived from Colorado in 2021. He started strong with two excellent seasons, including a third-place MVP finish in 2022 alongside Paul Goldschmidt’s MVP campaign. That felt like the peak – their best shot at a championship run.
Since then, it’s been a steady decline. Arenado’s production has dropped off, and the Cardinals haven’t advanced past the Wild Card round in either of their playoff appearances. Now they’re embracing a rebuild that doesn’t include aging stars with hefty contracts.
Whatever happens next, Arenado’s resume speaks for itself: 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, six-time Platinum Glove winner, and five-time Silver Slugger. Those are Hall of Fame credentials, even if his Cardinals chapter didn’t end with the World Series ring he came here to chase.
The offseason trade market should be interesting. Arenado still has the pedigree and defensive skills that contending teams covet, but his age and contract might limit the Cardinals’ options. Either way, Sunday felt like the end of an era at Busch Stadium.
