JUPITER, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals in action against the Houston Astros during a Grapefruit League spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 20, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Cardinals had a big day on offense Thursday against the Reds and one new arrival stood out in a great way.
The St. Louis Cardinals made a blockbuster trade during the offseason to acquire Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. The trade was an obvious one and a stacked Cardinals lineup made its debut Thursday in an 11-7 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
The first game of the season is never a time for overreactions. However, Cardinals fans did see that Arenado is ready to make an impact right away.
Nolan Arenado pays dividends for Cardinals in his first game
Arenado went 2-for-5 in his Cardinals debut. He drove in a run and came around to score once as well. He and Paul Goldschmidt combined for six of the team’s 10 hits and look to be a lethal duo in the 2-3 spots in the lineup.
The Rockies trading Arenado in the first place was a head-scratching move. He signed an eight-year, $260 million extension with the team in 2019 and was gone two years later. And not only that, but the Rockies also sent $50 million to the Cardinals along with the star third baseman.
This all worked out great for St. Louis and Arenado remains a perennial National League MVP candidate in his new home. He will also be looking to continue his streak of Gold Gloves. He has won the award in all eight of his MLB seasons.
The entire St. Louis offense combined for a great 11-run performance in what was easily the most ideal way to begin a season. The hit parade got started with a six-run first inning that included an Arenado single.
The Cardinals added a star this offseason and got a fortune in return as well just to take him off the Rockies’ hands. This is a team with World Series aspirations every single season and 2021 is off to a great start. How many teams add a legitimate star so easily?