photo: Nolan Arenado via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Spring training is just days away and the St. Louis Cardinals have not yet traded Nolan Arenado. Nor have they done much of anything else. Our history feature investigates prior trades and free agent signings made during this week.
News and Notes for the Offseason
In this space will be information on news and events of the offseason that do not require extensive coverage. Check back each week to learn what is happening.
- Cardinals 2025 Spring Training tickets on sale – The Cardinals continue to sell 2025 Spring Training tickets. The opener will be played on February 22. Details at https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/tickets/spring-training
- Cardinals’ Season Tickets now available – Fans can purchase season tickets for 2025. Information is at https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/tickets/season-tickets. A telephone line and a chat feature are available.
- Spring Breakout is back – The second annual Spring Breakout games begin in March. This prospect showcase features top prospects from each team playing in a slate of spring training games.
Cardinals prospects will play Marlins prospects on March 14 at 12:10 pm at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. The Cardinals team may include prospects from big-league camp such as Quinn Mathews, Tink Hence and JJ Wetherholt.
- Cardinals’ spring workout dates announced – The dates for spring training workouts are set. The first workout for pitchers and catchers will be on February 12. Position players will begin their workouts on February 17.
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
- Nolan Arenado is still a Cardinal. The Cardinals have made no offseason moves. The one change from last week involves the team’s major league payroll situation. During his media Q&A session on the last day of Winter Warm-Up on Monday, Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. stated that even if no trade for Arenado materializes before the season begins, no further cost cutting to the major league payroll will be necessary.
If any additions to the major league roster are made, they will be for a reliever and/or a bench bat on a one-year deal. This is necessary according to outgoing POBO John Mozeliak, to leave a “clean slate” for incoming POBO Chaim Bloom. Mozeliak informed reporters at last weekend’s Winter Warm-Up that maximum flexibility on the major league roster is his goal as he ends his contract and his tenure with the organization at the end of the season.
All sessions from WWU can be viewed or watched at The Cardinal Nation.
Transactions
There are no transactions to report.
Injury Report
There are no new injuries to report.
Looking Ahead
January is ending soon. The Cardinals have not made any significant offseason moves since the Winter Meetings in early December.
As February approaches and Spring Training is around the corner, the only offseason event remaining is the looming arbitration hearings for three Cardinals who did not come to terms with the team on a 2025 salary. They are Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar and Andre Pallante.
These hearings will take place from January 27 through February 14. The sides could continue to negotiate until the hearing begins, but the Cardinals have said they will go to hearing.
Spring Training officially begins when pitchers and catchers report on February 10. Their first workout is on February 12. The position players first workout is on February 17.
Blast from the Past
The offseason continues with the Cardinals still waiting to offload Nolan Arenado and continue their plan to lower payroll. The market for the third baseman is quiet for the moment.
The Cardinals have indicated that at least one addition to, rather than a subtraction from, the roster is being considered. The team is reported to be seeking a relief arm to replace the departed Andrew Kittredge. They may also add a right-handed bat.
This week’s Blast continues with its look at past transactions from the period January 20 through January 26.
The following starts with the date of the transaction, the name or names of the players involved, the teams, and the nature of the transaction. Additional relevant details may be included.

January 21, 2011 – The Cardinals signed utility player Nick Punto to a one-year/$700,000 contract. Punto played in 63 games for the Cardinals in 2011 and had 14 at bats in the 2011 World Series. Punto was nicknamed “The Shredder” for his penchant for ripping uniforms off teammates during celebrations, including a very famous one with teammate David Freese. Punto was recently hired to the major league coaching staff of the San Diego Padres.
January 22, 2007 – The Cardinals signed RHP Ryan Franklin to a one-year/$1 million contract. Franklin was extended to a two-year/$5 million deal in July of 2007. Franklin became the Cardinals primary closer in 2008. Franklin remained with the team until he was released on June 29, 2011. He retired in December 2011. Franklin currently works in the front office of the Cardinals.

January 23, 1985 – The Cardinals signed C Mike LaValliere to a free agent deal. LaValliere spent two years with the Cardinals and played in the 1985 World Series. He was traded in February 1987 along with Andy Van Slyke to the Pirates for catcher Tony Peña.
January 26, 2010 – The Cardinals signed LHP Rich Hill to a minor league contract. He had just recovered from labrum surgery and was touted as a possible fifth starter. Hill struggled in spring training and was beaten out for the starter job by Jaime Garcia. He made four starts in Triple-A and opted out of his contract on June 30. Hill went on to play 14 more years in the majors and hopes to continue in 2025 at age 45.
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