It’s not often in baseball that the behind-the-scenes action captivates us more than what’s happening on the field, but the case of Nolan Arenado’s trade is the exception. When the Cardinals announced in early February that they’d acquired the third baseman from the Colorado Rockies, it was the result of some years-long maneuvering. The week before the trade, John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations, said he felt nauseated. Why the nerves? Arenado’s one of the best players in baseball, having won the Gold Glove eight times and been named National League All Star five times. He immediately made the Cardinals the National League Central favorite. His contract—one of the richest in Cards history—reflects that, at $214 million for seven years. That got us thinking: What else could that sum buy at Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village?
FYI: The Cardinals’ home opener, against the Milwaukee Brewers, is April 8.
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