Cardinals still in stalemate with Nolan Arenado as the camp opens

St. Louis Cardinals opened spring training on Wednesday and the club has still not been able to trade with star third Baseman Nolan Arenado.

The Cardinals have tried to move the 33-year-old without finding a taker, and Arenado is intended to report to Camp in Jupiter, Florida, Sunday.

St. Louis tried to work out an arenado trade for Houston Astros during the peak season, but he called on his clause without trade to block an appointment.

“We are adults,” said Cardinal General Manager John Mozeliak. “Would it be awkward? I would imagine there would be a moment of awkenness but I still think he is a professional baseball player and he is currently a St. Louis Cardinal and we all understand when You are here, pushing forward.

“Would it mean to try to achieve something during spring training? Possibly, but there are no guarantees at that time.”

Arenado, an eight-time all-star, was under-tested last season with a .272 average, 16 homers and 71 RBIs in 152 games.

With at least 30 home runs in seven of 12 MLB seasons, Arenado has spent the last four with St. Louis after eight campaigns with Colorado Rockies. He has three years back on his contract.

Arenado provided the Cardinals with a list of five teams he would consider for a potential trade. They are reportedly New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels.

“In the end, I didn’t have a big list of teams, and it wasn’t like there were 29 teams I could take him with, so I’m trying to navigate what I could work with,” Mozeliak said. “Obviously, it’s not moved in the pace that many of us had hoped for.”

The Cardinals allowed the veteran first Baseman Paul Goldschmidt to leave via free agency after last season, and now manager Oliver Marmol is waiting to see how things play out with arenado.

“You act as if he comes to camp, and my conversations with (Arenado) until this point has been exactly that,” Marmol said. “Until it changes, there is no need to plan anything else. So when we stand here today, we have throwers and catchers here and we are focused on it. When we first get to the position players, the players are here and one Full camp, we ‘address it.