{"id":579206,"date":"2026-02-18T12:49:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T12:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/579206\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T12:49:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T12:49:20","slug":"nolan-arenados-brutally-honest-gold-glove-admission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/579206\/","title":{"rendered":"Nolan Arenado’s brutally honest ‘Gold Glove’ admission"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nolan Arenado was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals<\/a> to the Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> this offseason, giving the 13-year veteran a new home. Despite being a veteran, Arenado is still recognized as one of the best two-way third basemen in MLB. In a recent interview, he admitted that his defensive expectations are still incredibly high.<\/p>\n

While sitting down with Jake Garzia of 12 Sports Arizona, the 34-year-old star claimed that his goal in 2026 is to win the Gold Glove<\/a>. Or, at the very least, play at that level. Arenado also opened up about the different steps he has to take in preparation late in his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can’t take ground balls every day now, you know, like I used to.\u201d Arenado said, \u201cI used to be ableto take ground balls nonstop every day and be like, \u2018I’m great to go tomorrow.’ Now, I gotta be smarter about it. I gotta take my days here and there, as far as work load goes. I have to be in the gym a little bit more\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that I’m able to move well, make my throws, and not feel so sore the next day or that night, I think that’s a great sign for me as a 34-year-old,\u201d continued Arenado. \u201cBut there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be in the running for the Gold Glove again. That’s what I expect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nolan Arenado might not be able to put in the amount of obsessive work he used to.<\/p>\n

But he still thinks he’s one of the best defensive third basemen in the MLB.<\/p>\n

“There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be in the running for the Gold Glove again. That’s what I expect.”@12SportsAZ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TRNh7N9H9L<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jake Garc\u00eda (@Jake_M_Garcia) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Arenado has won 10 Gold Gloves<\/a> in his career. However, his last Gold Glove came in 2022. So, the eight-time All-Star will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to win the highly coveted award once again. But staying healthy will be key.<\/p>\n

Arenado will be joining the Diamondbacks after having a 2025 season to forget with the Cardinals. He missed a chunk of playing time due to a right shoulder strain and was a bit inefficient by his standards when he was on the field. Arenado ended last season with a .237 batting average (career-low) and .289 OBP (career-low). He also recorded 95 hits, 12 home runs, and 52 RBIs through 401 at-bats.<\/p>\n