Cardinals’ $260 million star receives back-breaking update on trade

Will the Cardinals work out a deal?

Nolan Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals’ talented third baseman, has been the most sought-after trade candidate in recent months, and it doesn’t appear like he’ll be moving anytime soon.

Trading Arenado was the team’s #1 priority this summer, as they said on several occasions. They did not reach an agreement, and it appears that he will be the team’s starting third baseman on Opening Day.

Arenado has a no-trade clause and isn’t going anywhere. According to reports, he was initially interested in the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres. Boston is set after signing Alex Bregman, who rejected down a trade to Houston. Los Angeles has been aggressive and has an expensive budget, while the Padres haven’t received much attention lately.

The Yankees have been intriguing, owing in large part to the addition of Paul Goldschmidt, but there appears to be more speculation about a potential transaction than genuine interest from New York. ESPN’s Jorge Castillo spoke extensively about the Yankees’ Spring Training. According to the report, New York has not been active in pursuing Arenado.

“Which leads to Nolan Arenado,” Castillo explained. “The St. Louis Cardinals, who are in the early stages of rebuilding, have made the eight-time All-Star available to the public for months, but the Yankees have not been aggressive in their pursuit.” Arenado, who turns 34 in April and is coming off his worst major league season, is owed $74 million through 2027, with the Colorado Rockies obligated to pay $5 million each of the next two seasons.

“The Cardinals would undoubtedly have to eat some of the money to accomplish a deal. It’s expected to happen in 2025; they agreed to a trade with the Houston Astros in December, but Arenado, who has a complete no-move clause, blocked the transaction. Perhaps it will be with the Yankees, who signed Arenado’s close buddy and former Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in December. But the Yankees are rolling with what they have for now.”

There are plenty of rumours and chatter online, but it does not appear that the Yankees will make a deal anytime soon. He has a three-year contract for $260 million, with St. Louis likely receiving a portion of that amount.

Patrick McVay

Patrick McAvoy’s experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After immediately becoming one of the site’s most active writers, he increased his reach by writing for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site owned by Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries for Inside The Cardinals, please contact out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

Rick Pitino hints to a future Louisville reunion with St. John’s

St. John’s HC Rick Pitino is anticipating a potential battle with Louisville.

St. John’s 2024-25 collegiate basketball season witnessed Rick Pitino’s revival, while facing criticism and disappointment. This year, the famous head coach did a lot for the Red Storm. He propelled the program to heights that fans had forgotten were possible, leading the team to a 31-5 record and Big East regular season and conference championships. The 72-year-old shares Coach of the Year honours with Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, showing his lasting effect on the sport.

It remains to be seen whether Pitino and the Johnnies can repeat the magic they brought to Queens, New York last season, but he is certainly keen to complete any unfinished business in this game. According to basketball expert Adam Zagoria, the two-time national champion (one championship is annulled) is in negotiations with his previous employer, Louisville, about playing a non-conference game at Madison Square Garden.

Pitino also said he is in talks with Kentucky about hosting an exhibition in Lexington’s Rupp Arena, and he is in contact with Iona. Aside from perhaps returning his coaching history, the New York native is in talks with Michigan about hosting an exhibition at MSG. However, given how the union ended, one game would likely create greater national curiosity than the others.

Rick Pitino has a rich history with the Louisville basketball program.

When Louisville dismissed Pitino in 2017, following a federal investigation into fraud and corruption, the fierce coach was outraged. He denied knowing about recruiting violations, which allegedly included paying a recruit’s family member $100,000 and organising illegal sexual activity for Louisville players. The NCAA robbed the Cardinals of Pitino’s most recent national championship, an extra Final Four berth, and 123 victories.

Rick Pitino first chastised the institution for how it handled the incident. When his son, new Xavier head coach Richard Pitino, led the Minnesota Gophers to a first-round victory over Louisville in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, it was more than simply fatherly pride. It seemed like a vengeance game for the entire family.

Fast forward a year later, when the older Pitino took responsibility. He maintains his innocence while acknowledging the significance of holding leaders accountable for a program’s mistakes. Converging with Louisville basketball again, even as an opponent, feels only natural. Pitino stepped into the massive shoes of two-time winner Denny Crum and steered the program into a new era.

The controversies are a part of Pitino’s legacy, whether he admits it or not, but his standing as one of the best college basketball coaches in history should go uncontested. The Cardinals occupy a considerable amount of room on his stellar resume, so a prospective MSG clash with St. John’s appears to be must-see TV.

Stay tuned.

Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He has a distinct writing style owing to his extensive understanding of New York sports. Alex lives in Connecticut after earning a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island.

Louisville Cardinals: Head Coach Pat Kelsey Compiling College Basketball’s Most Impressive Transfer Portal Haul, Featuring a Five-Star Player

College basketball’s transfer portal season is underway, with the Louisville Cardinals emerging as the greatest beneficiaries thus far. Head coach Pat Kelsey did miracles in his first season at Kentucky, but after a disheartening defeat to Creighton in the NCAA Tournament’s first round, Louisville is motivated to reload and rebound stronger the following season. Kelsey’s Cardinals now have the most successful transfer portal class in college basketball.

Pat Kelsey’s Louisville Cardinals have some big names to replace.

Pat Kelsey’s inaugural season with the Louisville Cardinals was a huge success. After winning only 12 games in the previous two seasons, Kelsey led Louisville to a 27-8 record, including 18 conference victories. They were rated as high as 10th in the US and had a stronger resume than their 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament suggested.

Despite a dismal March Madness performance that resulted in an early departure, Kelsey’s efforts in his first season at the helm deserve to be recognised. That being said, Kelsey will now have the problem of replacing several important players on the roster who are out of eligibility and will not return next season.

There is no shortage of talent leaving the program next year, including the team’s top two scorers, Chucky Hepburn and Terrence Edwards Jr., as well as vital players Reyne Smith and Noah Waterman.

Hepburn’s 16.4 points per game and roughly 6 assists per game will leave a significant vacuum on the club next season. While the former Wisconsin guard was considered as the squad’s top player, Edwards Jr. led the team in scoring with roughly 17 points per game. These over 32 points per game do not account for Smith’s 13 points a game on 38% shooting from three, or Waterman’s excellent contributions as a spacing big man.

Louisville has already added several top players to the transfer portal.

Kelsey has taken advantage of the early phases of the transfer portal and has already recruited some fascinating talent. The most prominent name on the list is 5-star prospect Adrian Wooley. Last season, the former Kennesaw State combo guard averaged 18.8 points per game, shooting more than 51% from the floor and 42% from three. Wooley was one of the top mid-major scoring guards in the nation and is now expected to be Louisville’s top player.

Ryan Conwell, a fresh newcomer, is also on duty as a guard. Last season at Xavier, Conwell was second on the team in points per game (16.5), third in assists (2.1), and first in three-point shooting on at least 35 tries (41.2%).

Louisville Cardinals’ Head Coach: Pat Kelsey Assembling College Basketball’s Best Transfer Portal Haul, With a 5-Star Player 3 March 19, 2025; Dayton, Ohio, USA Xavier Musketeers guard Ryan Conwell (7) dribbles the ball while being guarded by Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) in the second half at UD Arena. Mandatory credit: Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images.

The most recent addition to the list is Isaac McKneeley, a former Virginia Cavaliers guard. McKneely, a three-point shooter with a huge frame, has no relation to UConn standout Liam McNeely, but he is still one of the top talents in the ACC and is on his way to one of the conference’s elite teams.

NEWS: Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely, possibly the finest shooter in the portal, has committed to Louisville, according to his agent, Drew Kelso. McKneely made 233 career three-pointers in three seasons at UVA, shooting 42%.

NEWS: Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely – arguably the best shooter in the portal – has committed to Louisville, his agent Drew Kelso told ESPN. McKneely made 233 career 3s in 3 seasons at UVA, on a 42% clip.

Pat Kelsey is assembling a potential Final Four squad in Louisville. pic.twitter.com/V9XrLfRG35

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 3, 2025

The addition of Kelsey’s three-point shooting to the lineup elevates Louisville’s status in the ACC and beyond. Their top-ranked transfer class offers them a great chance to make a deep run next season. Louisville will most certainly start next season as one of the teams with the highest expectations, and the talent they’ve collected, along with one of the most exciting young coaches, gives them a danger to live up to them.

This article first published on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

5 Players Who Could Follow Adrian Wooley to the Louisville Cardinals

Wooley is likely to be the first of many Cardinals players to sign this offseason. It is doubtful that 5-star prospect Nate Ament would sign to the Cardinals, allowing Louisville to go all in on the transfer portal.

So, with Wooley as the first domino to fall, here are five prospects that may follow the sharpshooter to the Cardinals and pledge to Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball.

5) Alex Steen

Alex Steen is an under-the-radar player in the transfer portal, as the Florida Southern transfer will go from DII to DI basketball. Steen entered the transfer portal earlier this week, and the Cardinals instantly expressed interest in the supremely skilled power forward.

This offseason, the Cardinals must focus on improving their power forward position. After signing Wooley, their shooting guard position is no longer an issue, and their need for an outstanding defensive forward becomes more apparent. Steen won two Defensive Player of the Year awards at Florida Southern. Last season, he recorded 86 blocks, including a season-high six in one game.

Steen would be an ideal match for the Cardinals since he is an exceptional two-way player who would provide valuable depth to Kelsey’s squad. Last season, he averaged 17.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, shooting 56.2 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three.

5 important reasons Adrian Wooley chose the Louisville Cardinals over Alabama

Adrian Wooley, Louisville’s top basketball recruit, committed to the team yesterday. Pat Kelsey and his Cardinals learnt late afternoon, around 6 p.m. local time, that the No. 3 overall player in the transfer portal had committed to the University of Louisville.

Louisville secured this significant pledge over Wooley’s native state, the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide were early favourites in the recruiting process, and they were anticipated to sign this highly regarded shooting guard. Kelsey successfully landed Wooley over Alabama, Auburn, and Kansas.

Alabama is ranked No. 9 in the nation for the 2025 recruiting class, so it was a significant opportunity for Kelsey and his Cardinals. It is evident that Louisville basketball is returning, and Wooley’s signing confirms that.

5 important reasons Adrian Wooley chose the Louisville Cardinals over Alabama

Louisville Nation is rejoicing on April Fools’ Day because the Cardinals’ offseason is off to a great start. The Cardinals’ selection of Wooley over Alabama demonstrates that they are here to stay and will compete with the SEC’s powerhouses on and off the court.

So, here are five compelling reasons Adrian Wooley chose the Louisville Cardinals over the Alabama Crimson Tide.

5) Splash Brothers 2.0

The Cardinals were the obvious choice for Wooley, as the combo guard will be devastating from beyond the arc in Pat Kelsey’s offence. Louisville will want to have an explosive offence, with Mikel Brown Jr. and Wooley attempting to be the collegiate equivalent of the Splash Brothers.

The Cardinals’ two guards are deadly from behind the arc. Wooley shot 42 percent last season and hit 73 3-pointers during the 2024-25 season. The Kennesaw State transfer made slightly more over two 3-pointers per game last season and will seek to increase that number alongside Brown.

Brown won the McDonald’s All-American Game 3-point contest last night, shooting 19 of 25 and scoring 28 points to create a new record. According to MaxPreps, Brown shot more than 60% from the field and three-point line for DME Academy. This 5-star recruit from DME Academy averaged 29 points per game and is regarded as the top point guard in the country.

Brown and Wooley are set to be a dangerous dynamic pair on the offensive end of the floor, leading this Cardinals club to a deep March run.

4. The Cardinals prioritised. Adrian Wooley

The Cardinals were clearly all-in on Wooley from the outset. Louisville appears to be one of the most dedicated schools to the exceptional shooter, contacting him shortly after it was revealed that he had entered the gateway.

Kelsey and the Cardinals sorely needed a shooter, and Louisville was definitely attempting to fill that shooting guard position. The Cardinals acquired the best player available at this position and couldn’t be more pleased with Wooley’s pick.

The Cardinals lost significant distance to McKneely, while Wooley appeared to get interested in the Cardinals. It’s possible that the Cardinals went all in on this true freshman and wanted to ensure they got the No. 3 player in the portal.

Looking at the timetable, it appears that Kelsey’s number one objective was Wooley the entire time, and Cardinals supporters are happy all day on April Fools’ Day, knowing they have finally gotten their dream player.

Related: Louisville basketball gets a major update from 5-star transfer portal guard

3. Playing under Pat Kelsey.

Pat Kelsey is one of the finest college basketball coaches, having created numerous outstanding players throughout his time. He is renowned as a player-coach, allowing the players to play freely since he trusts them. Chucky Hepburn, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-ACC, chose the Cardinals because of Kelsey’s play style.

Wooley will fit in wonderfully with Brown and the rest of the Cardinals’ offence. Kelsey will execute several plays that will get this outstanding playmaker the ball. Wooley is a sniper on catch-and-shoot, but he can also score off the dribble and through playmaking.

Last season, Wooley made many eye-opening plays for the Owls, including spectacular side-step 3-pointers. His ability to be a great facilitator and score in ways other than catch-and-shoot is why he will fit in so well with Brown.

Wooley will fit in nicely under Kelsey, and Cardinals supporters are already losing sleep over how dynamic this offence will be next season. Kelsey went to X to share his delight about Wooley’s signing, which has Cardinals supporters ecstatic.

PatSignal25 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/movyqS3tIY

— Pat Kelsey (@patkelsey) March 31, 2025

2. Wooley is primed to burst in Cardinals offence.

Alabama has the No. 9 recruiting class for the 2025-26 season. The Crimson Tide signed Davion Hannah, a combo guard from Glendale, Wisconsin. Hannah is a unanimous 4-star recruit, ranked third in his skilled position and 43 overall by On3.

It makes perfect sense for Wooley to choose the Cardinals over the Tide. The future Cardinal will not have to compete for a starting spot, since he will arrive on campus knowing he will be Louisville’s starting shooting guard. Wooley is anticipated to be one of the Cardinals’ top scorers next season, although if he had committed to Alabama, he may have played off the bench.

Kelsey and his Cardinals are the ideal fit for Wooley to improve his game and take off this season. Louisville will let him play freely and help him take the next step in his career. The deadly shooter made the proper decision to try to make the NBA, but he also chose the squad that best suited him and his skill set.

Wooley will be the Cardinals’ primary scoring option next season, alongside Brown. These two guards will aim to dominate the ACC and help Louisville win its first NCAA Tournament game in almost six years.

1. Louisville Basketball’s 25-strong

Louisville’s basketball fans are regarded as among the greatest in the country. The Cardinals supporters nearly sold out an NCAA Tournament game at Rupp Arena and were a noticeable X-factor in the 2024-25 season.

Louisville boasts one of the nation’s most devoted fan bases, as seen last season. Following their final regular-season home game, the Tide and Cardinals had Senior Day Ceremonies. The two ceremonies yielded very different outcomes.

The Cardinals fans were seen celebrating their seniors after the win at KFC. Yum! The Centre made certain to acknowledge the elders. However, after losing to Florida, Alabama fans stormed out of their own stadium, making the Senior Day Ceremony an embarrassment.

Wooley will be hailed by Cardinals fans and nearly overwhelmed by their enthusiasm for the Louisville Cardinals programs. Fans crowded the hotel before their ACC and NCAA tournament games, leaving Coach Kelsey and his team awestruck.