The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to continue their rebuild in the offseason.

The Cardinals finished 2025 season 78-84 and in fourth place in the National League Central.

St. Louis has several veterans on the team that have been tied in trade rumors for several months and are expected to shed veteran players and salary to make room for cheaper and younger options.

Last season, there were ongoing rumors tied to third baseman Nolan Arenado. There was, at one point, a trade in place to send him to the Houston Astros, but Arenado nixed the deal due to having a no-trade clause.

In a recent appearance on the "Foul Territory" podcast, The Athletic's Cardinals beat writer Katie Woo said that trade discussions involving Arenado will likely continue this offseason.

"I'm thinking about just republishing all of my stories from last trade deadline and just changing the date," Woo said on the podcast. "Because it's pretty much gonna be the exact same story. I do think the Cardinals will trade Nolan Arenado this offseason and I know I said that last year and it didn't happen. But this is different. So many different things are at stake here. One, Arenado himself is more open to different landing points. Last year, remember, he had just five teams he would be open to waiving his no-trade clause for, did not mean he would (waive) it for sure, as we experienced. And also, Cardinals ownership is willing to spend (significantly) more money and eat more money in that trade. So two things helping the Cardinals and Arenado in that favor, there. I don't think it's going to happen before December though, because what's the rush? The Cardinals have all offseason to look and find a suitor, and it's going to be complicated. (There's) $42 million left on that deal, a full no-trade clause. And teams have to be able to find, what I believe, to still be an elite third baseman. But there's been obvious signs of decline offensively. ... Do I think the Cardinals can find a match for Arenado? Absolutely. Do I think it's gonna be one of the first trades they make? Probably not."

This past season, Arenado scored 48 runs in 107 games and hit 18 doubles, a triple and 12 home runs with 52 RBIs. He slashed .237/.289/.377 with a .666 OPS.

Arenado's home run and RBI totals have declined each of the last five seasons. In 2021, he hit 34 home runs with 105 RBIs; in 2022 he hit 30 homers and 103 RBIs; in 2023 he hit 26 home runs and 93 RBIs; in 2024 he knocked 16 homers and 71 RBIs. His OPS has also steadily declined from .891 in 2022 to .774 in 2023 and .719 in 2024.

RELATED CARDINALS STORIES

CARDINALS OUTFIELDER COULD BE READY FOR OPENING DAY: Lars Nootbaar could be ready for the start of 2026 after undergoing heel surgery. CLICK HERE

BRENDAN DONOVAN NAMED TEAM'S ROBERTO CLEMENTE NOMINEE: The fourth-year second baseman was recognized as one of the 30 nominees for the annual philanthropic honor. CLICK HERE

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Remember to join our CARDINALS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other CARDINALS fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!