A lack of additions by the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason might feel uncomfortably familiar for Nolan Arenado.
Those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it. The history of the St. Louis Cardinals and their relationship with Nolan Arenado looks good, though. He even chose to opt into his contract. Everything must be peachy.
Arenado’s history, however, has been a shaky one with his employer. Before joining the Cardinals in a blockbuster trade, he was signed to a massive contract by the Colorado Rockies. The eight-year deal worth $260 million assured fans and the star third baseman that the team planned to win. At least that’s the conclusion everyone came to.
As Kevin Henry of Call to the Pen points out, there are some growing parallels. The Rockies seemed to rely too much on what they already had rather than go out and add around Arenado. It led to frustration and the trade which ultimately sent him to the Cardinals after the 2020 season. Outside of signing Willson Contreras, the Cardinals haven’t been active this offseason outside of a few more minor moves. What gives?
Are the Cardinals doing to Nolan Arenado what the Rockies did to him first?
The Cardinals definitely do seem to have plans of competing with pieces they already have. They haven’t pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade to include many of their young prospects or big league pieces. The move from Yadier Molina to Contreras is significant yet only one change they’re undergoing.
The starting rotation includes no new names or face with trade deadline acquisition Jose Quintana out of the picture. The bullpen has had very little changes of significance, too. The plan seems to be running it back, hoping players stay healthy, and
In fairness, the Cardinals didn’t have too many big free agents. Their biggest losses aside from Quintana were the retirements of Molina and Albert Pujols. They’ve been the final stop for a few players in recent seasons. John Lester, J.A. Happ, and Andrew Miller were all on the 2021 roster. It would take a trade or a somewhat unexpected free agent signing to actually have a major addition to the roster. They were a rumored destination for several of the big free agent shortstops, but never struck a deal with someone.
St. Louis may very well end up making the same mistake with Arenado again. We won’t know this year. Next offseason, when their four best starting pitchers all become free agent eligible, we’ll get an answer.
Even before Arenado joined the organization, this was a team that consistently competed. Their rebuilding phases are short. The odds of them winning the National League Central is always high. Just about everyone already believes the Cardinals are making it to the 2023 postseason in some fashion. Another early exit can sway the narrative more.
St. Louis is 0-3 in the postseason since Arenado arrived. He opted with the expectation of going a little further in the postseason. Does he get his wish or has the front office been caught napping this winter?