John Mozeliak, Cardinals president of baseball operations, speaks with the media on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at Busch Stadium during the Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up. (Video by , Post-Dispatch)

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak -- a veteran team-builder who has regularly used the offseason to add difference-making talents such as Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray to try and chase a championship -- oddly saw this winter slow to a crawl.

John Mozeliak and the St. Louis Cardinals are working behind the scenes to make something happen while Nolan Arenado holds them hostage.

“John Mozeliak says trading Nolan Arenado remains ‘Priority 1, 2 and 3' but acknowledges the team remains in a holding pattern due to the FA market. He would like to add to the bullpen/maybe a RH-bat, but won’t before they have clarity on Arenado’s future,” Katie Woo of The Athletic wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

St. Louis wants to cut payroll and open up spots for younger players. Arenado wants the perfect situation. What happens if he has to stay?

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak reaffirmed his desire to trade Nolan Arenado this offseason, calling it the number one priority on Saturday.

The St. Louis Cardinals' top priority is finding a trade partner for superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado but doing so has been challenging. After Arenado endu

Mozeliak thought he had a trade made in December sending Arenado to the Astros, but the third baseman blocked the deal.

John Mozeliak spoke to media members for nearly half an hour Saturday during the Cardinals' annual Winter Warm-Up event, addressing the team's offseason and future in depth.

This is not the offseason the St. Louis Cardinals envisioned, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak acknowledged Saturday at Busch Stadium, speaking from the podium on the first day of the team’s annual Winter Warm-Up.

The St. Louis Cardinals' youth movement took center stage during their Caravan visit to Cape Girardeau. As the team rebuilds, top prospects like Thomas Saggese are poised to shape the future amid leadership changes.