Tigers Rumors: AL competitor re-enters Nolan Arenado trade talks with Cardinals

The Nolan Arenado saga has been nothing short of exhausting, and every time you think it's over, it's actually not. The Cardinals' chances of trading their declining star felt low from the beginning of the offseason, when president of baseball operations John Mozeliak made it clear trying to rid some of his contract off the payroll was a top priority, but it didn't stop them from trying with anyone who would listen.

Arenado exercised his no-trade clause and blocked a deal to the Astros in December, but St. Louis continued to shop him. The Athletic's Katie Woo confirmed the Tigers were interested and made early calls to inquire, but the Tigers, Royals, and Angels were "viewed as non-starters by the player". The Red Sox seemed interested before they won the Alex Bregman sweepstakes, and the Dodgers, Arenado's clear first choice, "never matched Arenado's interest."

That piece from Woo felt like a conclusive end to the story. Arenado had reported to spring training with the Cardinals and was likely to remain there. However, because this whole thing is, again, exhausting and never-ending, Brian McTaggart, Mark Feinsand, and John Denton of MLB.com reported on Saturday that the Astros had re-engaged with the Cardinals about Arenado.

Astros reportedly back in on Nolan Arenado after Cardinals' multiple failed attempts to deal him

Hearing Detroit categorized as a "non-starter" for Arenado kind of stings, especially after Bregman chose Boston even when he had a better offer on the table from the Tigers, but no one would've taken Arenado over Bregman anyway.

The renewed talk about Arenado and the Astros has, once again, kicked up disagreement between insiders. Denton has been a trade truther throughout this whole ordeal, while Woo has been a lot more skeptical. Soon after McTaggart, Feinsand, and Denton's report, Woo (and Chandler Rome) countered to say that Arenado's position had not changed. He still didn't think it was a good look that Houston traded Kyle Tucker and had lost Bregman.

Arenado has also said that there's no awkwardness between him and his teammates or the front office despite the latter making it so obvious they don't want him in St. Louis anymore. The guy is clearly content to stay where he is, and he has no qualms about going back to that no-trade clause and shutting down all of the Cardinals' best-laid plans.

And honestly? Good for him. Even if there's no awkwardness or hard feelings, it must feel a little good to hit back at the front office like this.