MLB: Nolan Arenado is staying with the St.Louis Cardinals through 2027

All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado will not exercise the opt-out clause in his contract with the Cardinals, keeping him in St. Louis through the end of the 2027 season, a person familiar with his decision told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made. The Athletic was the first to report on Arenado’s decision.

Arenado had until five days after the World Series to decide whether to opt out of the remaining five years and $144million on his contract.

He originally signed an eight-year, $260m pact with the Colorado Rockies in 2019 before getting sent to the NL Central champions, where he is set to make a base salary of $35m next season.

Cardinals president John Mozeliak said earlier in the week that he flew to Southern California to meet with Arenado and that he was ‘optimistic’ that things would work out.

The 31-year-old Arenado, a seven-time All-Star, also had been hearing from longtime ace Adam Wainwright, who announced earlier this week that he would return for one last season in St. Louis.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who might be Arenado’s biggest competition in the NL MVP race, also has been peppering him with text messages.

‘Goldy and I have been on him and hopefully that works out,’ Wainwright said. ‘I think it will. Nolan wants to be here.’