MLB: Nolan Arenado is staying with the St.Louis Cardinals through 2027

All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado will not exercise the opt-out clause in his contract with the Cardinals, leaving him in St. Louis until the end of the 2027 season, a person familiar with his decision told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity as no official announcement had been made. The Athletic was the first to report on Arenado’s decision.

Arenado had until five days after the World Series to decide whether to opt out of the remaining five years and $144 million on his contract.

He originally signed a $260 million eight-year pact with the Colorado Rockies in 2019 before being sent to the NL Central champions where he will earn a base salary of $35 million next season.

Cardinals president John Mozeliak said earlier in the week that he had flown to Southern California to meet Arenado and that he was “optimistic” that things would be fine.

The 31-year-old Arenado, a seven-time All-Star, had also heard of longtime ace Adam Wainwright, who announced earlier this week that he would be returning to St. Louis for one final season.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt, arguably Arenado’s closest competitor in the NL MVP race, has also bombarded him with text messages.

“Goldy and I have been following him and hopefully it will work out,” Wainwright said. ‘I think it’s okay. Nolan wants to be here.”

The mere thought of forgoing such a huge contract seemed like a longshot a year ago.

But Arenado hit .293 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI’s while playing well enough defensively to earn his 10th Golden Glove, and could have pushed for an even bigger contract had he chosen to test free agency.

Instead, he returns to a team losing to retiring Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, but little else from the team swept by the NL champion Philadelphia Phillies in the wildcard round at Busch Stadium.