St. Louis Cardinals: Nolan Arenado loving his teammates, but still adjusting

JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 02: Paul Goldschmidt #46 and Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals wait for their hat and gloves in between the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in a spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 02, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 02: Paul Goldschmidt #46 and Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals wait for their hat and gloves in between the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in a spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 02, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Nolan Arenado is used to playing in the NL West, but has already began adjusting to life in the NL Central with the St. Louis Cardinals.

When the St. Louis Cardinals acquired Nolan Arenado, the expectation was that he would immediately dazzle teammates. He has not disappointed.

But the admiration has been reciprocated. Specifically, All-Star first baseman Paul
Goldschmidt has caught his eyes, with Arenado saying: “I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m here right now. I got [Paul] Goldschmidt hitting in front of me.'”

It is a far cry from what Arenado had with the Rockies. Of course, he played with players such as Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez, among others. But never has Arenado been so fully entrenched in a postseason race so early into the season. And Arenado has embraced the change of scenery since the day of the trade.

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Arenado, however, has admitted that he is still adjusting in St. Louis. He is in a different time zone, new environment and surrounded by new players and coaches. It takes time to get comfortable with it. Even then, Arenado has quickly established his presence in the No. 3 spot in the lineup and at third base, and should continue to become more comfortable as his stay in St. Louis continues.

But the team made sure to ease him into the city and team rather than thrust him into a prominent leadership role, hence the re-signing of Yadier Molina and the presence of Goldschmidt.

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His impact, along with Goldschmidt, will he felt for years to come in St. Louis. And the Cardinals realize that with both in town, this is only the first year of an extended playoff window.