Opposing view on Arenado: Though declining, he's still an asset to THIS team.

[ecleme22]

First off, let me say, I think CardsTalk will be a roller coaster in terms of how Arenado is viewed. He's one hot week away from AlexReyesCyYoung writing an OP calling out CTers who wanted to give NA away last offseason.

But as it stands, I still think NA is still an asset. Here's why:
1. The team is very young. NA, along with WC, offer veteran leadership.
2. You think NA isn't a leader? Maybe you're right, but asking Oli to move him down in the lineup is a 'team-first' move and a step in that direction.
3. Nolan is still solid at 3B. You can't understate how NA still anchoring 3B enhances the defense, gives the pitchers peace of mind and sets a positive tone in the infield. I know Contreras is a vet too, but not as a 1B.

The 2025 Cards team has become—dare I say it—really promising. NA's defense and presence are a part of that, in my opinion.

[Futuregm2]

His glove alone makes him an asset to the team, I don’t think anyone has argued that. Just people didn’t want him hitting 4th anymore because his hitting is no longer a middle of the order type of presence. He’s not a bad #6 or 7 hitter. Still a quality player to have around if you ignore how much he’s making.

[thetank2]

Not sure why he lost his power. Might get 35 doubles.

[bccardsfan]

His glove alone makes him an asset to the team, I don’t think anyone has argued that. Just people didn’t want him hitting 4th anymore because his hitting is no longer a middle of the order type of presence. He’s not a bad #6 or 7 hitter. Still a quality player to have around if you ignore how much he’s making.

Pretty much this.. As long as he is hitting behind WC and IH that is fine. NA is back to his pull everything approach. Previously he would get out of slumps by going up the middle or oppo now and then. He gets in his rut of having the bat out front of the zone trying to yank every pitch to LF and that makes him vulnerable to pop ups, off speed pitching, etc... Line a few at the pitcher's head and stop trying to yank every pitch into the LF bleachers to get going. Look at most everyone else in the lineup. Using the whole field. NA needs to adopt that approach.

[Absolut]

Not sure why he lost his power. Might get 35 doubles.

He was a dead pull power guy and they had vanished.

[Basil Shabazz]

You lost me when you mentioned Arenado and veteran leadership in the same breath.

Nado is a marginal asset as a slightly plus player if not taking money into the equation. His plus defense at 3B is valuable.

Now, he isn't going to be worth the rest of his contract. So when money becomes part of the discussion, ne is a net negative.

All depends on if the money matters or not.

Also, I don't think it was Nado's idea to move down. I'd say he agreed to it, but it wasn't his idea.

[renostl]

You lost me when you mentioned Arenado and veteran leadership in the same breath.

Nado is a marginal asset as a slightly plus player if not taking money into the equation. His plus defense at 3B is valuable.

Now, he isn't going to be worth the rest of his contract. So when money becomes part of the discussion, ne is a net negative.

All depends on if the money matters or not.

Also, I don't think it was Nado's idea to move down. I'd say he agreed to it, but it wasn't his idea.

IMO
Contracts should matter far less than production of the individual player.
Contracts matter in their effect on budget or payroll. The Cardinals are in good shape.
IF you want a team full of high value players then it's easier to find with 10 minimum wage
players than 10 Otani's. One team likely wins more games.

Take Gray as my example. In 2026 it will be nearly impossible for him to live up
to that value. He can still be productive though. If cheaper player leapfrog him in production
that's fine, perhaps great even, but he needs to be productive. Especially on a middle
to low budget team. Example 1 the LAD SP rotation.

[ecleme22]

You lost me when you mentioned Arenado and veteran leadership in the same breath.

Nado is a marginal asset as a slightly plus player if not taking money into the equation. His plus defense at 3B is valuable.

Now, he isn't going to be worth the rest of his contract. So when money becomes part of the discussion, ne is a net negative.

All depends on if the money matters or not.

Also, I don't think it was Nado's idea to move down. I'd say he agreed to it, but it wasn't his idea.

1. While Arenado is no Yadi, there is SOME veteran leadership. I seriously doubt that having NA in the clubhouse has no positive effect on Winn, the pitching, the infield defense, etc.
2. NA will probably be a net negative on his contract for the last few years. But how much in the red will it be? Maybe 10-15mil?

I definitely get, if NA has like a .675 OPS this year, how it could be a huge bummer thinking how he fits into the '26-'27 plans.

But as of now, given the makeup of the young team, I think he is an asset.