St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals need Nolan Arenado

The St. Louis Cardinals have a lot to think about this off season. Whether it’s focusing on a third basemen, starting pitching, or to sure up the bullpen. Regardless, a move must be made to show they plan to contend.

The bold move I believe the St. Louis Cardinals should make would be to trade for Nolan Arenado.

But you’re saying ‘Wait what? The Rockies are good why would they do that?”

Hang with me for a second.

The 2019 season is Arenado’s final season before free agency. The chances of him resigning in Colorado are slim. Why? Well, the Rockies are just as cheap as the St. Louis Cardinals, that’s why.

Not only are they cheap, but the case could be made that the Rockies would sign DJ LeMahieu for a much cheaper price and begin letting their top prospect Brendan Rodgers take over the gap that Arenado would leave.

In addition to that, their number-two overall prospect is also a third basemen, Colton Welker.

This is a cheaper option but it also allows the Rockies to get something in return for Arenado and still allows them to remain competitive.

Arenado has voiced before that he is impressed by the Cardinals organization.

He’s also voiced displeasure with Colorado.

Most importantly – Arenado does not seem like a guy who puts the most emphasis on needing a beach or huge night life scene to make his career decisions (looking at you Giancarlo Stanton).

Arenado knows St. Louis is a baseball town and I believe that’s something he would value.

Therefore, I think the redbirds would have an extremely good shot at extending Arenado’s contract before 2019 is even up.

What would the Cardinals have to give up?

As far as the return for Arenado – I’m honestly not sure what they would want. The Cardinals number two prospect, Nolan Gorman is a third basemen. As I mentioned above, the Rockies have that covered with their top two prospects.

What does Colorado need that the Cardinals always seem to have?

Pitching.

I think I can say with utmost certainty that Alex Reyes and Jack Flaherty are not up for conversation.

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Young pitching wise that leaves Dakota Hudson and Ryan Helsley.

Also in this conversation I think you could throw in Carlos Martinez (maybe), Michael Wacha, and Luke Weaver. I think the Rockies might also be interested in Carson Kelly, considering their catching depth is weak.

Obviously, the redbirds wouldn’t have to give all this up. If you consider that they might sign a starting pitcher in the off season like Patrick Corbin, they could move Hudson, Wacha, and Kelly.

Sounds kind of painful, I know. Sometimes that’s what it takes, Cardinals fans.

Plus, if they sign a guy like Corbin, the rotation still looks pretty darn good:

1. Martinez
2. Mikolas
3. Corbin
4. Flaherty
5. Wainwright/Weaver/Reyes

The St. Louis Cardinals desperately need an everyday third basemen who carries an intimidating bat to the plate. Even if Bill DeWitt decides to spend money and go after Manny Machado or Bryce Harper – they don’t seem like small market personalities who would desire St. Louis.

Nolan Arenado, in my mind, is the best choice and the most realistic choice. I believe he is a better player than both Machado and Harper.

St. Louis seems  like a good spot for the Rockies to start if they choose to shop Arenado. They need pitching and the Cardinals have it.