Cardinals Rumors: Nolan Arenado is unlikely to opt out after 2021

The opt-out clause in Nolan Arenado’s contract has been a talking point since the St. Louis Cardinals acquired him. Per report, he doesn’t plan to exercise it.

With the St. Louis Cardinals underperforming, and questions about manager Mike Shildt’s job status, there is a growing fear among fans that it could force Nolan Arenado to opt-out of his contract. That, after only acquiring him a year ago, would be the worst-case scenario in what has been a nightmare season.

Have no fear, however, as Katie Woo of The Athletic writes that Arenado “is not opting out this offseason.”

Arenado, 30, loves it in St. Louis. He specifically wanted to come here after losing for so many seasons with the Colorado Rockies. He loves Yadier Molina, who he pushed to stay in St. Louis for another season. He loves everything about the Cardinals and wants to be in St. Louis now and going forward because it gives him the opportunity to compete for championships. Yes, plural.

Besides, why would Arenado want to enter free agency this winter when it’s a historically deep infield class that features Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Javier Baez and Marcus Semien? That’s not to mention the growing concerns about the CBA negotiations, which can – and likely will – impact player salaries. Opting out of his current deal, which gives him certainty and assurances, and going into an uncertain free-agent market would make little sense.

It should be noted that Arenado has another opt out clause after the 2022 season. If the Cardinals struggle next season, and are without Molina and Adam Wainwright in 2023, it could entice Arenado to opt out of his deal and enter free agency when the free agent class is weaker and the CBA situation is all settled. A player of his caliber, who is hitting .255/.313/.418 with 26 home runs and 84 RBI this season, would command a deal with a similar average annual value to his current nine-year, $275 million contract.

The Cardinals will enter this offseason with plenty of questions that need answering. Arenado is not one of them. He’s here to stay — at least for now.