Diamondbacks acquire Nolan Arenado in a trade with the Cardinals

ARIZONA.– The Arizona Diamondbacks shook up the Major League market by acquiring star third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade agreed with the St. Louis Cardinals, announced this Tuesday by both organizations.

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In exchange for the 34-year-old veteran, St. Louis will receive right-handed pitcher Jack Martinez, a 22-year-old prospect, in a transaction that marks one of the most important moves of the offseason. Arenado approved the trade after deciding not to activate the no-trade clause included in his contract, which allowed him to arrive in Arizona to reinforce a lineup that seeks to compete at the highest level in the 2026 season.

An elite curriculum

Considered one of the best third basemen of his generation, Arenado has a career full of distinctions:
10 Gold Gloves, eight All-Star selections, six Platinum Gloves, five Silver Bats, and three National League home run titles. His best recent season was in 2022, when he finished third in the Most Valuable Player voting after batting .293, with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs, and an OPS of .891, in addition to winning his tenth consecutive Gold Glove.

Production down, defense intact

In recent years, however, his offensive numbers have declined. In 2023 and 2024 he connected for 26 and 16 home runs respectively, while in 2025 back and hand injuries limited his performance to 12 home runs and an OPS of .666 in 107 games. Despite this, his defense at third base remained among the best in baseball.

Financial Commitment

Arenado is still owed 42 million dollars over the next two seasons:

• 27 million in 2026
• 15 million in 2027

The Colorado Rockies, his former team, will have to cover five million of the salary corresponding to 2027, according to the terms of the contract. With this move, the Diamondbacks are betting on Arenado’s experience, leadership, and defensive elite to strengthen their infield and make a competitive leap towards the new Major League season.