Nolan Arenado Joins Arizona Diamondbacks in Trade with St. Louis Cardinals
On Tuesday, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a significant move by acquiring Nolan Arenado, an eight-time All-Star third baseman, from the St. Louis Cardinals. The trade involved sending minor league pitcher Jack Martinez to the Cardinals, along with some cash considerations.
Reports indicate that the Cardinals will pay the Diamondbacks $31 million to assist with the remaining two years of Arenado’s nine-year, $275 million deal. The financial details suggest that Arizona will receive $22 million in monthly installments and a final $9 million payment in November 2027 to help cover Arenado’s salary for the upcoming season.
Despite his status as a celebrated player, Arenado’s recent performance has raised some eyebrows—he batted .237 last season, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 52 runs. His offensive stats have seen a decline over a few seasons, which could be a concern for the Diamondbacks.
Still, Arenado brings ten Gold Glove Awards to the table, which suggests he can still contribute defensively. His presence will likely bolster Arizona’s infield, especially after the team traded slugger Eugenio Suarez at last season’s deadline. Interestingly, it was noted that Arenado waived his no-trade clause to facilitate this move.
Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom expressed gratitude for Arenado’s contributions during his time with the team, emphasizing his competitiveness and the memories he created both on and off the field. Bloom also mentioned that acquiring Martinez, a young pitching prospect, aligns with their plans for the future, creating opportunities for other players to develop at the major league level.
Arenado boasts a solid career batting average of .282, with 353 home runs and 1,184 RBIs. Meanwhile, Martinez, selected in the eighth round by the Diamondbacks out of Arizona State in 2025, has yet to make his professional debut after not pitching post-signing. In college, he had a season with 77 1/3 innings pitched, striking out 110 batters while allowing 33 walks and finishing with a 5.47 ERA.
