The Cardinals are days away from a potentially awkward situation at the ballclub’s spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida.

In Saturday’ spring opener vs. the Marlins, the Cardinals lineup features some of the club’s projected starters like third baseman Nolan Arenado, catcher Willson Contreras, and shortstop Masyn Winn.

The St. Louis Cardinals played their first spring game of 2025 against the Miami Marlins on Saturday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Cardinals Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado had high praise by manager Oli Marmol about how he's handled the trade rumors.

Arenado, 33, is now “considering a potential deal to Houston” after the team improved its roster over the last couple of months, per MLB.com. In the deal that got killed in December, the Cardinals were set to send $15-20 million to the Astros for Arenado, who is owed $74 million over the next three years.

Mozeliak, charged with balancing payroll and pivoting toward a franchise transition, was foiled in December when Arenado turned down a trade to the Houston Astros. Now, he says it's likely a deal might have to emerge from a group outside of Arenado's five preferred destinations.

According to league sources, the Astros circled back with the Cardinals after Alex Bregman signed with the Red Sox.

(Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP) St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Arenado, right, is greeted by manager Oliver Marmol on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, at the team’s spring training baseball facility in Jupiter, Fla. (Christian Gooden/St ...