Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado declines to use opt out clause to become free agent, will remain in St. Louis

Arenado has five years and $144 million remaining on his contract

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado will not use his opt-out clause this offseason, the club announced on Sunday. The seven-time All-Star has five years and $144 million remaining on his contract. He could have opted out and tested free agency, but instead will remain with St. Louis.

“I would just say that I’m optimistic that this will have a positive resolution, and like I said, I hope that’s something we get some news on sooner rather than later. I don’t think it’s about re-working the deal. He’s just trying to use him time and sort through some things,” Cardinals present of baseball operations John Mozeliak said earlier this week when asked about Arenado’s opt out (per MLB.com). “He asked questions on how we’re thinking about the club, what we’re thinking about in the future, and topics like, ‘How are we going to deploy our resources?’ It was a very positive conversation. Again, I’m hopeful and optimistic that we can come to a place where we’re both very happy and have that understanding. He just wants a little time to think through that.”

The 31-year-old Arenado recently completed his second season with the Cardinals after disagreements with the Colorado Rockies’ front office led to his trade out of Denver. As per the terms of the trade, the Rockies will pay $16 million of Arenado’s $35 million salary in 2023. Arenado will be Colorado’s second highest paid player behind Kris Bryant next season.