St. Louis radio host gets real about Nolan Arenado's market amid Cardinals' plan to offload $260,000,000 superstar

The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to rebuild their team and wish to offload Nolan Arenado from their payroll. However, the eight-time All-Star used a no-trade clause in his contract to reject a move to the Houston Astros last month, while there has not been much interest shown by teams for him since then.

Bernie Miklasz, the host of the weekday afternoon show on KFNS 590 in the Greater St. Louis area, offered his thoughts to MLB columnist Katie Woo of The Athletic on the Cardinals Territory podcast on Friday.

St. Louis-based sportscaster Bernie Miklasz said he respects the decision of Nolan Arenado to block his trade move to the Houston Astros, although he feels there is no genuine interest from the rest of the league to sign the player. He thinks the St. Louis Cardinals may eventually have to enter into a lopsided trade to move out the 10-time Gold Glove winner.

"I totally supported Nolan Arenado's decision to veto the Houston trade," he said. "The agent probably told him some things that give him an idea that maybe this team is really interested. The only thing about Houston, scratching them off the list, is they pivoted very quickly by signing Christian Walker. That took [away] one team that we know, for sure, wanted Nolan Arenado.

"I don't know what his market is; how many teams actually have a yearning to trade for him," he added. "Oh, they'd do it if the Cardinals are willing to just eat a huge slice of his contract. And, they'd do it if, "Well, we're not going to give you anything at all. If it's on their terms, they'll do it. They'll take the gamble on his offense there."

Arenado had signed an eight-year, $260 million contract extension with the Colorado Rockies in 2019 prior to being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals two years later. He still has three years and $74 million remaining on his deal.

Cardinals still looking for fair value on Nolan Arenado trade, says Bernie Miklasz

Nolan Arenado is still owed $74 million from his contract (Image Source: Imagn)

Sportscaster Bernie Miklasz believes the St. Louis Cardinals are not willing to pay out a large share on the remainder of Nolan Arenado's contract. He feels the Cardinals are looking to gain at least a prospect or two in exchange for the veteran third baseman.

"It doesn't sound like the Cardinals are inclined to take on a huge chunk of that contract," Miklasz said. "They still do hope to get, I don't know what kind of return, maybe a prospect or two that may not be a claim now, but could be a lottery ticket, so to speak."

The Cardinals ended the 2024 campaign with an 83-79 record and missed out on the postseason after finishing in third place in the National League Central.