ST. LOUIS — The media has been abuzz with rumors in recent days that 10-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado could be put on the “trade board” before the July 31 deadline. But today, he spoke up — for the first time, movingly and with determination.
“I’m not here for the fame. I’m here for the responsibility — to my teammates, to the fans, and to myself.”
“Not for the money, not for the status”
At a surprise press conference at Busch Stadium, Arenado appeared calm, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes that fans had rarely seen.
He revealed that despite having a no-trade clause, he still received calls from teams like the Astros, Angels and Dodgers for months.
But the decision to “stay” was not just about the huge contract, but also about the unfinished faith in the Cardinals.
“If I leave, it has to be for a purpose and meaning that is greater than $260 million… not to run away from difficulties.”
“The battle in the soul” – the pressure to part ways that tore him apart
Arenado shared that the transfer speculation kept him up at night, “wondering if I was betraying the people who supported me from the beginning.” When facing the press, he choked up:
“I cried when I read the news that I might be traded. Not because of regret, but because I was afraid that I would no longer be me.”
Staying – Finishing Things Up
Though he’s currently hovering around a .283 batting average with 351 home runs and 1,174 RBIs, Arenado says he still has a lot more to offer the team:
Give young players like Nolan Gorman a chance to play
Help the Cardinals make the playoffs
And most importantly: Give the fans a trophy they’ve been waiting for
“The one thing I can’t let go of is my ultimate responsibility as a professional.”
“If the season doesn’t go the way I want it to go…”
Arenado doesn’t hide his concerns: If the Cardinals miss the playoffs in July–August, a trade could happen. But he hopes that wherever he goes, it will be proactive — to complete his mission in St. Louis.
For now, Arenado “stays” at Busch Stadium — not just as a high-paid player, but with a heart that doesn’t want to leave the place that raised him. It’s not just a financial issue, but an emotional internal battle between responsibility, emotion and the desire to leave a mark.
“I will continue to stay until I feel I can hold my head high, even after I leave,” he asserts, his eyes bright but also filled with determination.