St. Louis Cardinals: Nolan Arenado finally hits his first spring homer

Opening Day is right around the corner. Nolan Arenado appears ready as he mashed his first home run in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform.

Nolan Arenado had not hit his first home run with the St. Louis Cardinals. Until now.

In a spring training game against the New York Mets, Arenado hit a towering home run to right field. It marks what should be the first of many home runs that he hits in his tenure with the Cardinals.

Arenado, of course, was acquired by the Cardinals in an offseason trade with the Colorado Rockies. The trade was immediately tabbed as a huge win for president of baseball operations John Mozeliak considering they did not part with any of their top prospects AND netted $51 million in the deal. In other words, the Rockies paid the Cardinals to take their perennial All-Star and likely future Hall of Fame third baseman.

The Rockies’ loss is the Cardinals’ gain, and Arenado should make a significant impact in St. Louis before too long. He got off to a slow start in spring training, but the team never expressed any concern. They believe that Arenado, now healthy and playing in a winning environment, could deliver his best performances to date. And his home run on Monday afternoon could mark the beginning of that run the Cardinals are counting on.

If that is indeed the case, and Arenado begins the season being the Arenado of old, the Cardinals immediately become one of baseball’s most dangerous teams. He combines with Paul Goldschmidt and Yadier Molina in a formidable lineup. The pitching staff has talent, especially in the bullpen. But the Cardinals’ season starts – and ends – with Arenado and him hitting his first home run days before Opening Day is what the team hopes is a sign of things to come.