3 reasons why this proposed NY Mets-Cardinals trade is a "no" for both teams

As the MLB offseason approaches, trade rumors and proposals begin to swirl, offering fans a glimpse into potential new lineups and team directions. One such proposal, highlighted in a Bleacher Report article on realistic trades, has sparked conversation between the fanbases of the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals. The hypothetical trade suggests the Mets would acquire third baseman Nolan Arenado in exchange for left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea and right-handed pitching prospect Jonathan Pintaro, with cash considerations also going to St. Louis. The primary motivation for the Mets in this scenario would be to bolster their defense at the hot corner.

While offseason speculation is a time-honored tradition in baseball, not all proposed trades are created equal. On the surface, adding a perennial Gold Glove winner like Arenado seems like a clear win for a Mets team that has struggled with infield defense. However, a deeper dive into the specifics of this trade reveals that it may not be the slam dunk it appears to be for either club. In fact, there are several compelling reasons why this trade would be a mistake for both the Mets and the Cardinals, leaving both teams in a worse position than they were before.

The Mets don't need to trade for Arenado; he's not an upgrade

One of the most significant arguments against this trade for the Mets is that Nolan Arenado, at this stage of his career, may not be the substantial upgrade the team needs, especially when considering the cost. While Arenado's reputation as an elite defender is well-deserved, his offensive production has been on a steady decline. In 2023, he posted his lowest full-season OPS since his rookie year, and that trend has continued. For a Mets team that is looking to add impact bats to their lineup, trading for an aging and expensive player whose best offensive years are likely behind him is a questionable move. When you compare Arenado’s recent offensive statistics to the production the Mets have gotten from their internal options, the upgrade is marginal at best, and certainly not worth giving up a starting pitcher and a pitching prospect.

The Cardinals don't need to trade Arenado for Manaea

From the Cardinals' perspective, this trade makes even less sense. If St. Louis is indeed heading towards a rebuild, trading a franchise cornerstone like Arenado should be a move that brings back a significant haul of young, high-upside prospects to build around for the future. Sean Manaea, while a serviceable major league pitcher, does not fit that description. He is a veteran on a short-term contract and would not be a long-term piece for a rebuilding team. Furthermore, the trade doesn't offer the Cardinals significant financial relief. If the Cardinals are going to part with a player of Arenado's caliber, they need to receive a package that will accelerate their rebuild, not one that simply swaps one veteran for another and a mid-level prospect.

It solves a problem that no longer exists

Perhaps the most compelling reason this trade falls flat for the Mets in the 2025 offseason is that it provides an expensive solution to a problem that no longer exists. After years of questions surrounding the hot corner, another full season of development has finally provided the Mets with their answer: Brett Baty. By this point, he has moved past his early-career struggles and has proven he's a reliable, everyday major league third baseman. He represents exactly what the current front office is trying to build around—a young, cost-controlled, homegrown player who has proven he belongs, showing consistent defense and a maturing offensive approach. To trade for Arenado now would be to actively displace this success story, creating a roster logjam while committing massive financial resources to a position that is already occupied. It’s a move that may have made sense two years ago, but in the current landscape, it feels entirely redundant and contrary to the team's forward-thinking roster construction.