Nolan Arenado’s Uncertain Future with the St. Louis Cardinals

2025 MLB Column: The Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals Trade Drama and Betting Analysis

The Nolan Arenado Situation: Will He Stay or Go?

As of this moment, Arenado remains a member of the Cardinals, but the expectation is that he won’t be for long. There’s a growing belief that St. Louis will move the All-Star third baseman before Opening Day. The reason? The Cardinals cannot afford to risk an injury that would tank his trade value.

Arenado has reportedly limited his desired trade destinations to five teams, with Houston being the most aggressive suitor. If a deal doesn’t happen now, it could come later when a contending team suffers an injury and desperately needs a third baseman. Given the Cardinals’ rough offseason, keeping Arenado past spring training might be another misstep in what has already been a questionable few months for the franchise.

Betting Market: Will Arenado Hit 20+ Home Runs in 2025?

Buy or Sell: Over 20 Home Runs for Arenado?

• Sell: Some analysts argue that uncertainty around his landing spot makes this a risky bet. He hit only 16 home runs last season, and moving to a pitcher-friendly park could suppress his power numbers even further.

• Buy: Others see a bounce-back year ahead. If Arenado lands in Houston with the Astros, a strong offensive environment could propel him back to the 23-24 home run range.

Verdict? If you’re risk-averse, sell. If you believe in Arenado’s track record, buying at the right odds could provide value.

Betting Market: Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds MVP Hopes

Buy or Sell: Elly De La Cruz Will Receive First-Place MVP Votes?

• Buy: He only needs one first-place vote to cash this bet. If the Reds make the playoffs, De La Cruz will likely have a monster season, boosting his MVP candidacy. The stolen bases and home run numbers will be there, making him a dark horse in the race.

• Sell: Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Juan Soto of the New York Mets, and Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies are established superstars likely to dominate voting. De La Cruz would need an absolutely insane year to break through.

Since only one vote is required, this bet has value—especially at favorable odds.

The Chicago White Sox: A Historic Collapse?

Buy or Sell: White Sox Will Lose 99 or Fewer Games?

• Sell: The White Sox are in full tank mode. They’re bad and they know it. Some analysts predict a 110-120 loss season. Betting on them to lose over 100 games seems like a near lock.

• Buy: If you believe in surprise improvement from young talent, the under-99.5 loss bet might be worth a flyer.

For now, though, the expectation is that this team is headed straight to the bottom of the standings.

Final Betting Takeaways

• Arenado’s HR total: If he lands in Houston, 20+ home runs is possible. If he stays in St. Louis or moves to a tougher ballpark, it’s a risky bet.

• De La Cruz MVP votes: One vote is all you need. The bet holds value if Cincinnati is competitive.

• White Sox collapse: Expect a brutal season. Betting on 100+ losses looks like free money.

With Opening Day approaching, these storylines and wagers will be fascinating to track. One thing is certain—there’s no shortage of drama in the MLB betting world.

You can read all about what’s going on in the National Football League at SportsGrid.com.