The math is interesting on this one. Arenado is owed $27 MM in 2026, with Colorado having to pay $5 MM. There's another $6 MM differed until 2040 and 2041. He's also signed for $15 MM in 2027 but that year is under threat of a possible lockout. You'd have to front load the $25 MM to make sure if there is a lockout in '27 that affects the number of games played the Cardinals don't get to "keep" some of the cash promised... so will teams want to make trades that include cash beyond 2026? We just saw the Mets/Rangers make a trade that seemed lopsided in terms of long-term money and the only cash reported (or that I recall) was for 2026.

As for the proposal... including Waldichuk is too much. But I'm intrigued on Thomas for Arenado + Cash.