With trade rumors continuing to swirl around Nolan Arenado, St. Louis makes a major splash by acquiring Cleveland superstar José Ramírez.
By Miguel La Torre | Apr 29, 2025 at 10:45 AM ET
As the St. Louis Cardinals face a rocky start to the 2025 MLB season with a 12–16 record, they’ve responded in dramatic fashion—landing Cleveland Guardians’ star third baseman José Ramírez in a blockbuster trade. The move brings immediate star power to the roster and offers fans a high-profile replacement should longtime standout Nolan Arenado decide to waive his no-trade clause.
Trade speculation around Arenado has picked up in recent weeks, with the eight-time All-Star reportedly open to waiving his full no-trade clause for a handful of teams, including the Yankees, Dodgers, Padres, Red Sox, and Astros. While Arenado has remained a solid performer—batting .255 with three home runs and his usual Gold Glove defense—the Cardinals’ middling start has put his future in question.
During a recent episode of Foul Territory, The Athletic’s Katie Woo emphasized that any decision on Arenado would depend on whether the Cardinals remain in the playoff mix as the trade deadline approaches. With the team hovering around .500, front-office decisions are expected to intensify.
That urgency may have prompted this bold move for José Ramírez—arguably the top third baseman in baseball today. In 2024, Ramírez delivered a .279 batting average, 39 homers, 118 RBIs, and 41 stolen bases, leading all third basemen in multiple offensive categories while providing elite defense.
His arrival in St. Louis signals a shift in strategy: rather than rebuild, the Cardinals appear ready to retool around a new franchise cornerstone. And while Arenado’s future remains uncertain, Ramírez gives the team and its fans a superstar to rally behind—one capable of helping them forget what they might be losing.
With the season’s outcome still hanging in the balance, the Cardinals have made it clear they intend to compete now.
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