Off-Topic Forum

Looks like a trade is in the works. STL could certainly use him well at 3rd base. But that's a lot of money to spend for someone who could opt-out after the upcoming season or even in 2022. Not sure what STL is doing with these constant trades to get players for a year or two when they don't have the total team to compete for a title. They are spending big money to rent single players that will not get them to a World Series alone. Maybe Arenado and Goldschmidt on the corners makes them much better on both sides of the ball, but they still need much better pitching after the starters. If the defense on the corners is better, maybe the pitchers will look better. And with extra batting power, maybe the pitchers don't need to be much better than they have been. Thoughts?!

Well in the works is now a done deal, he's going. Wait, almost, looks like terms were agreed to, awaiting the formal waiving of the no-trade clause. Seeing him and Goldy on the corners will be a joy to watch. I thinkith he'll love the atmoshpere in StL especially after the fans are allowed to return. And he still has 4 or 5 years left on his contract so not a short-term rental. Besides, they locked up Goldy to a long-term deal after they traded for him. Can you imagine the leadership the team has right now between those 2 and Wino and Molina coming back for one more year. Youngsters better pay attention.

Spazmatastic was referring to the opt-out clauses that Arenado has. Maybe what is taking so long to finalize is an attempt to renogitate those, which is a tricky process due to MLBPA, etc. This would put them way up there with the other top two teams(imho), maybe still underdogs, but, just get in and you never know!

This Cubs fan is sad. The Cardinals are a bit scary now. And my team has only subtracted. Nice move. 

Originally he had only one opt-out after the '21 season.  The Cardinals asked to restructure his deal to give him the second opt-out in '22 and to defer some of his compensation beyond the original 6 years remaining on the deal.

I think that restructuring is going to be a good deal for the Cardinals.  There's no way Arenado opts out after the '21 season.  The free agent market next year will be softer for Arenado because teams will have less revenue in '21 still b/c of the pandemic.  In addition, with the new collective bargaining agreement needed before the '22 season, it would be too risky for Arenado to walk after '21.  Finally, there are so many good young shortstops hitting free agency in '21 (Lindor, Seager, Correa, Baez, Story), the big money is going to go to them and it will be a tougher market for Arenado, who is both older and in a less premium position.  He won't opt out in '21.

I think the '22 opt out is brilliant for the Cardinals.  If Arenado wants to walk after his age 32 season for greener pastures, fine with me.  The Cardinals have several young 3B prospects, and we all know most players start declining in their mid-30s.

If he stays after '22, that's fine, too.  Even if he declines, he'll probably still be better than most 3B, and with the deferred compensation, the Cardinals will still have room to pay Flaherty or acquire other talent.

The Cardinals essentially are getting Arenado for a six year deal at $150 million because the Rockies are going to cover $50 million.  That's a good deal.  Yes they are giving up a handful of young players, but none of them are going to be world beaters.

This is a good deal for the Cardinals.  Better than I would have imagined it would have taken to pull off.

Oh, I know, but once he gets to StL and the awesome baseball atmosphere there he'll want to stay. From everything I've seen they are a class act organization and always in contention. Don't think he's going anywhere....

RonEaston wrote:

Spazmatastic was referring to the opt-out clauses that Arenado has. Maybe what is taking so long to finalize is an attempt to renogitate those, which is a tricky process due to MLBPA, etc. This would put them way up there with the other top two teams(imho), maybe still underdogs, but, just get in and you never know!

Good pick up for the cards. Come on Brewers, do something.

Great move.  I'm thrilled. I expect big things from the Cardinals this season.

I 'm interested to see what else the Jays are going to do, Have gotten alot and from what everyone is saying they are still trying for more

I'm just bummed this happened to late for his spring cards to be in Cardinals gear.

Cardinals definitly made off like bandits with this deal. The $50 million from the Rockies mean we aren't out anything if Arenado decides to leave after 2022, and Gorman will be ready to take his spot in that case. We didn't give up any of our good prospects and the only way this can get any better is if we re-sign Wong to stack our infield. 

My only issue with this trade is that I have no idea what we are gonna do with Carpenter now. Edman is an excellent utility player that can get plugged in anywhere between 1st and 3rd, while Marp is a liability on the field and has continued to slump at the plate. His contract is too big to trade him, and we don't have anywhere to put him in the lineup with no DH this season.