St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado recently shared his thoughts as trade rumors continue to swirl around him. The Cardinals have been one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning eight of their last ten games and climbing back into contention in the NL Central. They currently hold a 44-36 record, sitting just 2.5 games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs and are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers in both the division and the race for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Despite the long season ahead, St. Louis is clearly hitting its stride — and Arenado is fully aware of it. The 34-year-old, widely considered one of the best third basemen in MLB history, might be past his prime but remains a vital part of the Cardinals’ roster. Judging by his recent comments to St. Louis sports journalist Tamar Sher, he has no interest in leaving the team anytime soon. During an interview, Arenado expressed his enthusiasm for the Cardinals’ ongoing series with the Cubs.
“I love seeing everyone in the lineup making an impact. Playing meaningful games like this, especially against the Cubs, is the kind of baseball I enjoy most,” he said. “At this stage of my career, I’m not just out here to play — I want to chase something bigger. I’ve checked off some personal achievements, but now it’s about winning something meaningful as a team, like a World Series. I haven’t felt this energized coming to the park for a series in a couple of years.”
He also praised the team’s all-around effort. “We’ve worked hard to build a standard here. If the bats aren’t hot, we’re still expected to bring it on defense. That’s something the young guys are picking up — that to last in this league, you’ve got to be good on both sides of the game.”
St. Louis has already claimed the first two games of the series against Chicago and now has a chance to close the gap even further. With the trade deadline about a month away, speculation around Arenado’s future continues, especially given the $52 million he’s owed over the next three years. Yet, his steady performance and leadership remain valuable.
If the Cardinals keep this strong form going, it could be tough for the front office to justify any major roster shakeups — particularly one that involves dealing Arenado. While the team still needs reinforcements, especially in the rotation and bullpen, the energy and chemistry in the clubhouse right now are undeniable. Based on Arenado’s remarks, disrupting that momentum might not be the smartest move.