Buy or Sell: St. Louis Cardinals Early Season Performances

Paul Goldschmidt (46) celebrates with third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) after the Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Goldschmidt (46) celebrates with third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) after the Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second inning of the game against the Washington Nationals during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second inning of the game against the Washington Nationals during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

Nolan Arenado

2022 Stats: .364/.426/.727, 5 HR, 5 2B, 14 RBI, 0 SB, 12 SO, 1.4 WAR

Verdict: Buy

Nolan Arenado has started his second season with the St. Louis Cardinals on an absolute tear, winning NL Player of the Week for the opening weekend of games as well as emerging nationally as an MVP candidate for the St. Louis club. Despite playing like an All-Star in his first season in St. Louis, many wondered if Arenado could regain some of his play from his prime Colorado days. Needless to say, so far, so good.

Just like any player leaving the comforts of Coors Field after spending their entire career there, it was going to take a period of adjustment for Arenado to find his groove and St. Louis at the plate, and he has now done so while maintaining his mantel as one of the best defenders in baseball. Arenado has provided elite protection for Goldschmidt and O’Neill so far this season, and has benefited greatly from a deeper lineup that can cause issues for an opposing pitcher.

Expect Nolan Arenado to be in the MVP conversation all year long and be one of, if not the major reason, this St. Louis club defies national expectations coming into the season.