Are the Cardinals a better team with Arenado at third.

[BrummerStealsHome]

Yes. Of course they are.

But he is on the downside of his career. Best to trade him nor with an eye for 2027 and beyond.

[82birds]

The answer of Are Cardinals better in 2026 with Arenado’s defense at 3rd ? Yes of course but Bloom is trying to improve the team long term .
Bloom understands Nado’s age precludes him being a part of the future. So off he goes just like Bloom will do with Sonny Gray .
Cards in 2026 are better with Gray too but Bloom looking forward so bye bye Sonny too.
Part of the business.

Some posters are too locked in on what players would be best fir 2026 team. Our new POBO has different vision.
I am not criticizing those who seek the best possible team for 2026
But feel they will be quite disappointed as Bloom makes multiple moves trading away current vets. If it’s quite a few, some may refer to it as a ‘house cleaning’ .

^ all well said ^

[cardstatman]

The real question is what should they do to find the best lineup going into 2027 and beyond. Yes in 2025 and 2026 NA makes the team better. Only because they have no one who plays a solid 3B and hits. That doesn't mean they should keep him.

They have options to try there. I know some already labeled Saggese as a JAG but IMO that is premature. His minor league stats indicate he might have a bat. 324 ABs in part time play is too soon to decide.

I know there will be howling but Gorman is only 25. I wonder if he will ever be a competent fielder or hitter but 2026 is a rebuild year and better to figure it out versus keeping NA.

Fermin is OK as a stopgap. PerhapsBlaze Jordan is real.

And lastly - has anyoneever considered they could benefit finding a position other than DH or C for Herrera? He might be able to play 3B

I believe the Cardinals are 43-38 with Herrera as the starting catcher over his career. So can he really be that bad at catching?

[woofy25]

No they are not better. Nobody ever attributes winning a division or even making the playoffs bc of a great defensive first third baseman. Donovan is a better overall player. So, if it’s between those two, Donovan is the obvious choice. If you believe in WAR, Donovan has Arenado doubled.

[Carp4Cy]

The question isn't that simple.

1. What is Nolan's OPS?
2. In a trade, what's the Cards' return?
3. How do the Cards spend the money they get for Arenado?

That’s a lot of moving pieces. I’d say with last year’s roster We are certainly better with healthy Nolan than without.

Gorman is a massive downgrade.
JJW belongs at 2B
Donny might be traded and certainly has more trade value than Nado. Or he might play OF. He’s not a long term 3b bat or arm.

In an ideal world we more less replace what Nado used to produce at third base. That’s not coming from inside the org. Go all in at 3b and sign Bichette. Or go all in on 26 and sign Suarez for 2 years plus a whole lot more pieces.

Or maybe just keep Nado for another year until the CBA is worked out then find his replacement. And if there’s a lockout which wipes out his 27 salary obligations, we might come out ahead keeping him vs sending most of 2 years cash to another team to take him now.

[ecleme22]

The question isn't that simple.

1. What is Nolan's OPS?
2. In a trade, what's the Cards' return?
3. How do the Cards spend the money they get for Arenado?

That’s a lot of moving pieces. I’d say with last year’s roster We are certainly better with healthy Nolan than without.

Gorman is a massive downgrade.
JJW belongs at 2B
Donny might be traded and certainly has more trade value than Nado. Or he might play OF. He’s not a long term 3b bat or arm.

In an ideal world we more less replace what Nado used to produce at third base. That’s not coming from inside the org. Go all in at 3b and sign Bichette. Or go all in on 26 and sign Suarez for 2 years plus a whole lot more pieces.

Or maybe just keep Nado for another year until the CBA is worked out then find his replacement. And if there’s a lockout which wipes out his 27 salary obligations, we might come out ahead keeping him vs sending most of 2 years cash to another team to take him now.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Actually my post isn't a lot of moving pieces, but rather scenarios to keeping or trading NA.

The play is to trade NA. He wants gone, and why should we hold him back? Plus, makes no sense to keep him.

No, I would not sign Bichette. He's a SS. You realize he will make crazy money as a SS, right? So we should sign him and stick him at 3B?

BBichette is a fun player but not the time to do this. Thank you for the convo.

[juan good eye]

Good morning.

I struggle to thread a suitable topic. Maybe this will work.

Given: Cardinal Infield will be Willy-JJ-Winn.

Are we a better team with Nolan’s top five defensive effort combined with Scott up the middle.

He may not hit, but that can be found in a corner outfield. Need two corners with power. That would offset his lack of power.

Donovan. I feel he takes third if they trade Arenado. That would suffice, minus the great play often. Does he makes us better with Nolan at third.

So I ask- one simple question. Are we better with Arenado at third.

Enjoy.

Donovan needs to go asap. Contreras too. Nado is worthless so he can stay and finish his career as the franchise rebuilds — that’s the only “better” I’m interested in.

All the nonsense posts about trying to improve the team by holding onto the status quo ie reshuffling the deck chairs is stupid AF.

[JuanAgosto]

Yes, they are better with Arenado at 3b. But it won't matter. They'll suck regardless. Same manager, same coaches, same philosophy, weaker roster than 2025.

Oli Ball will once again prove to be a boring, losing style. Gee, I can't wait.

[TheFantasyStud]

Agree with previous poster. We are better without Arenado. Donovan will have a better WAR at third in 2026 and the money saved can be invested in pitching. It allows Gorman to DH.

C) Herrera
1B) Contreras
2B) Wetherholt
SS) Winn
3B) Donovan
LF) Burleson
CF) Scott
RF) Walker
DH) Gorman

Bench - Saggase, Fermín, Crooks, Church/Koperniak

[sikeston bulldog2]

Seems to be a mild split on takes. If he stays we are a better defensive team but are we a better win team, and who cares about wins in a supposed rebuild.

If he goes pitching suffers. Will the offense provided off set the defenses. Again a rebuild. Does it matter.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

The real question is what should they do to find the best lineup going into 2027 and beyond. Yes in 2025 and 2026 NA makes the team better. Only because they have no one who plays a solid 3B and hits. That doesn't mean they should keep him.

They have options to try there. I know some already labeled Saggese as a JAG but IMO that is premature. His minor league stats indicate he might have a bat. 324 ABs in part time play is too soon to decide.

I know there will be howling but Gorman is only 25. I wonder if he will ever be a competent fielder or hitter but 2026 is a rebuild year and better to figure it out versus keeping NA.

Fermin is OK as a stopgap. PerhapsBlaze Jordan is real.

And lastly - has anyoneever considered they could benefit finding a position other than DH or C for Herrera? He might be able to play 3B

I believe the Cardinals are 43-38 with Herrera as the starting catcher over his career. So can he really be that bad at catching?

I honestly do not know. From what I read it seems the team wants to find a new position for him. It isn't me making that call. Or perhaps his bat is good enough to protect him from the damage of catching. Can't say. But if they are looking to move him 3B is a position that needs quick reflexes and a strong arm and one would think a catcher had those skills.

[ecleme22]

Seems to be a mild split on takes. If he stays we are a better defensive team but are we a better win team, and who cares about wins in a supposed rebuild.

If he goes pitching suffers. Will the offense provided off set the defenses. Again a rebuild. Does it matter.

I think we are assuming the leftover cards will fill in at 3b. Not a horrible assumption, but also not a forgone conclusion.

[dugoutrex]

The question isn't that simple.

1. What is Nolan's OPS?
2. In a trade, what's the Cards' return?
3. How do the Cards spend the money they get for Arenado?

we will be paying all (or most) of Nolen's salary either way

[Banner29]

The question isn't that simple.

1. What is Nolan's OPS?
2. In a trade, what's the Cards' return?
3. How do the Cards spend the money they get for Arenado?

we will be paying all (or most) of Nolen's salary either way

I wonder if Bloom has any thoughts of attaching Mcgreevy to Arenado either to not have to cover as much of his contract or to get a potentially better return. He doesn’t fit the bill of what Bloom wants out of pitchers going forward. He’s purely contact with little swing and miss potential. Solid prospect but not a fit here and that might work to his advantage