Report: Astros restart trade talks with Cardinals for Arenado

The Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals have re-engaged in trade talks for third baseman Nolan Arenado, sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Brian McTaggart, and John Denton.

The two sides reportedly agreed to a trade involving Arenado in December before he ultimately invoked his no-trade clause to block the deal.

However, the teams aren't close to a deal, and Arenado's thoughts about approving a move to Houston haven't changed since December, sources told Chandler Rome and Katie Woo of The Athletic.

"I don't feel anything is imminent. I can't comment or chase every rumor," Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Saturday when asked about the report, according to Rome and Woo.

St. Louis was willing to send Houston $15 million to $20 million to pay for some of the remaining $74 million left on Arenado's contract, according to Feinsand, McTaggart, and Denton.

The Astros' offseason has been defined by change, with longtime stalwarts Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker playing elsewhere in 2025. Houston added first baseman Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes, among other moves, in an effort to keep its window of contention open.

The Cardinals have actively tried to move Arenado throughout the offseason. The 33-year-old reportedly has a list of five teams for which he'd waive his no-trade clause. Arenado reported to St. Louis' camp earlier this week after a deal failed to materialize.

Although he said no in December, Houston was on Arenado's list of acceptable teams that he initially gave to the Cardinals, according to Rome and Woo. However, Arenado rejected a move to Houston to see how the third-base market would evolve and what the Astros might do after trading Tucker to the Chicago Cubs, Feinsand, McTaggart, and Denton report.

The 10-time Gold Glove winner didn't decline Houston's overtures beyond issues related to the timing of the previously agreed-to trade, sources told Rome and Woo.

The Cardinals are still expected to trade Arenado before Opening Day, a source told Feinsand, McTaggart, and Denton.