Katie Woo of the Athletic reported some fresh news Friday: Nolan Arenado rejected a trade to the Astros even though the Astros were on his five-team list of approved destinations. And then he said no when a deal with Houston was on the verge of completion.

That is Arenado's contractual right, of course. I don't blame him for that, though I certainly can question the decision. But what I won't do is rip St. Louis Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak for this.

Mozeliak had five approved teams to deal with. Three said no. Arenado said no to the Astros. It was down to Boston as the last realistic option. And that possibility blew up as soon as free-agent Alex Bregman decided to sign with the Red Sox.