The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade announced Tuesday. The D-backs will receive Arenado along with substantial cash considerations in exchange for 22-year-old right-handed pitching prospect Jack Martinez, an eighth-round selection in the 2025 MLB Draft. Martinez went 6-4 with a 5.47 ERA in 15 starts last season at Arizona State.
The financial structure of the deal eases the burden of Arenado’s remaining contract, with the Diamondbacks responsible for $11 million of the $42 million owed over the next two seasons, while St. Louis covers the remaining $31 million. The Colorado Rockies will also contribute $5 million toward Arenado’s 2026 salary. The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro detailed that “The Diamondbacks are paying $5M this year and $6M next year of the $42M left on Nolan Arenado’s deal, a source says”
Arenado, who turns 35 in April, waived his no-trade clause to finalize the move after broadening the list of teams he was willing to join. His departure closes a chapter that began in 2021, when he arrived in St. Louis after spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Rockies.
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom acknowledged Arenado’s impact in a statement, saying, “We are grateful for Nolan’s five years as a Cardinal, on and off the field — for his drive, his competitiveness, and for all of the memories he gave us.” Bloom added, “As we continue to move forward, we are pleased to add another intriguing pitching prospect to our organization, and excited for the opportunity this move creates for a number of our players to step up and further establish themselves at the big league level.”
The organization also posted a video montage on X paying tribute to Arenado, along with the caption: “Thank you, Nolan, for countless unbelievable plays and your leadership on and off the field. Best of luck in Arizona! 
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Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and eight-time All-Star, has seen his offensive production decline in recent seasons. A right shoulder strain limited him to 107 games last year, when he hit .237 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs, among the lowest full-season totals of his career. His OPS+ has steadily fallen from a peak of 150 in 2022 to 87 last season. Over 13 major league seasons, he has amassed 1,921 hits, 353 home runs and 405 doubles, building a reputation as one of the finest defensive third basemen in the sport’s history and a potential future Hall of Fame candidate.
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