Cardinals' Nolan Arenado gets firm trade deadline update

At the MLB trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals can make a lot of roster moves. Due to the team dropping 11 of 15 to close out June and begin July, the Cardinals are trending towards selling at the deadline this season.

If the team does sell, as Katie Woo of The Athletic mentions, one of their top trade chips is highly unlikely to be traded at the deadline.

"In Arenado's case," Woo writes, "a trade at this time remains highly unlikely."

This is a firm update on Nolan Arenado's trade deadline status. While the Cardinals may receive interest in the ten-time Gold Glove third baseman, a trade still would have significant hurdles to overcome.

Not only would a team need to make a strong offer that the Cardinals would accept, but Arenado himself would have to go along with it. He has a full no-trade clause and can shut down any deal. 

MORE: MLB insider reveals three relievers Cardinals are most likely to trade

He's already done so, shutting down a trade to the Houston Astros in the offseason. Arenado is unlikely to be traded, solely based on his no-trade clause.

But, if he were to accept a deal somewhere, there would be some complications in getting a deal done. The Cardinals are looking for a solid return for Arenado, and the 34-year-old might not fetch that.

He's struggled a bit this season. He has a .680 OPS, the lowest mark of his MLB career. Arenado also hasn't hit a home run since June 21, a sign he's struggling to hit for power, and has regressed offensively.

Trading Arenado would prove difficult for a multitude of reasons. And this update from Woo suggests that such a trade is highly unlikely at this year's MLB trade deadline.

While a move could happen in the future, the most likely scenario is that Arenado plays out the remainder of his contract on the Cardinals. The veteran third baseman has had an incredible career and is likely headed towards the Baseball Hall of Fame.

MORE MLB NEWS:

• Padres make Dylan Cease, Michael King trade deadline decisions
• Padres 'don't match up' with Red Sox in trade for All-Star MVP
• Tigers 'make a lot of sense' in trade for $275 million All-Star third baseman
• Tigers expected to aggressively pursue impact closer at trade deadline
• Astros named a 'strong trade fit' for Braves three-time All-Star silver slugger
• MLB insider reveals Guardians' trade demands for Steven Kwan