The Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals set the baseball world abuzz on January 13, 2026, finalizing a blockbuster trade that sees veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado heading back to the National League West. After over a year of speculation, trade rumors, and near-misses, the Cardinals have parted ways with the eight-time All-Star and defensive stalwart, sending him and significant cash considerations to the surging Diamondbacks. In return, St. Louis receives right-handed pitching prospect Jack Martinez, Arizona’s eighth-round pick from the 2025 MLB Draft, as the franchise doubles down on its commitment to a youth-driven rebuild under the new leadership of Chaim Bloom.
For the Diamondbacks, this deal represents a calculated gamble on a player whose Hall of Fame credentials are already well established, even as his offensive production has shown signs of decline. Arenado, now 34 and set to turn 35 in April, brings with him an impressive trophy case: 10 Gold Gloves, six Platinum Gloves, five Silver Sluggers, three National League home run titles, and eight All-Star selections. His reputation as one of the game’s finest defenders at the hot corner is unassailable, and his arrival in Arizona is expected to stabilize a position that’s been in flux since the trade of Eugenio Suarez to Seattle last year.
The trade’s financial intricacies are as complex as Arenado’s career accolades. Of the $42 million remaining on Arenado’s contract—originally a nine-year, $275 million pact inked with the Colorado Rockies before the 2019 season—Arizona will be responsible for just $11 million over the next two seasons. The Cardinals are on the hook for $26 million, while the Rockies chip in $5 million, a remnant of their own previous dealings with the star third baseman. Additionally, some deferred money owed by St. Louis won’t be paid out until 2040-41, softening the present-day blow for the Cardinals’ payroll.
It’s no secret that Arenado’s offensive numbers have dipped in recent years. After finishing third in National League MVP voting in 2022 with a robust .293/.358/.533 slash line, 30 home runs, and 103 RBIs, his production has tumbled. In 2025, hampered by back and hand injuries, Arenado managed just a .237/.289/.377 line with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs over 107 games—his lowest full-season home run total since his rookie campaign back in 2013. Advanced metrics paint a sobering picture: his 6.4% walk rate and 34.1% chase rate on pitches off the plate were both his worst since 2015, and his 16.5% infield fly rate and declining exit velocity suggest a hitter struggling to generate power and drive the ball consistently.
Yet, hope springs eternal in baseball, and the Diamondbacks are betting that a change of scenery—and ballpark—could spark a resurgence. Arizona’s Chase Field has ranked as the fifth-best offensive environment for right-handed batters over the last three seasons, a significant upgrade over St. Louis’ Busch Stadium, which sits 20th in that same metric. Arenado’s tendency to pull the ball in the air could play up in the desert, potentially allowing him to recapture some of his former offensive glory. As one CBS Sports analyst noted, "If there is a pathway for him to enjoy a rebound season at the plate, it’s to be found in the ballpark fit." Even if the bat doesn’t fully return, his glove remains a valuable asset for a team seeking to shore up its infield defense.
For the Cardinals, the trade marks the culmination of a deliberate offseason strategy under Chaim Bloom, who took over as president of baseball operations this winter. Bloom’s approach has been clear: move high-priced veterans, even if it means attaching significant cash to sweeten the deal, in exchange for prospects who could help fuel the next competitive wave in St. Louis. Arenado is the third player with a no-trade clause that the Cardinals have shipped out this offseason, following right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras—both sent to the Boston Red Sox in separate transactions. All told, St. Louis has sent $59 million in cash to facilitate these moves, an unprecedented figure that underscores the club’s willingness to absorb short-term pain for long-term flexibility.
Jack Martinez, the 22-year-old righty acquired in the Arenado swap, is hardly a finished product but brings intriguing upside. Selected in the eighth round out of Arizona State, Martinez posted a 5.47 ERA in 15 collegiate starts during his senior year, but also struck out 110 batters in 77.1 innings, walking 33. He’s described as a well-built pitcher with a lively fastball that touches 97 mph and a four-pitch mix, with a changeup considered his best secondary offering. His delivery has drawn some skepticism, with a long arm stroke and occasional struggles with control, leading to a walk rate of five batters per nine innings as an amateur. Most evaluators see Martinez as a "lottery ticket," a project for the Cardinals’ revamped player development system to mold.
St. Louis fans will surely feel the loss of Arenado, who was acquired from Colorado in 2021 and quickly became a fan favorite for his relentless competitiveness and highlight-reel defense. Cardinals president Chaim Bloom expressed gratitude in a statement: "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." The move, however, opens the door for a new generation of Cardinals to seize opportunity. Youngsters like Nolan Gorman, Thomas Saggese, and top prospect JJ Wetherholt—considered a frontrunner for National League Rookie of the Year in 2026—could now see expanded roles at third base as the club retools for the future.
For the Diamondbacks, Arenado’s arrival signals a clear intent to contend in 2026, even as the team keeps a close eye on payroll. Arizona finished last season at 80-82 and brings back All-Stars Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo, and Ketel Marte. Arenado is expected to be the everyday third baseman, with Blaze Alexander—who played third and outfield last year—likely shifting to left field or a utility role. The Diamondbacks had previously explored a move for Alex Bregman before pivoting to Arenado, who offers a more affordable and defensively reliable option at the hot corner.
As for Arenado himself, the move to Arizona brings him closer to his Southern California roots and offers a fresh start after a challenging year in St. Louis. He waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal, a sign that he’s eager for a new chapter. The Diamondbacks are hopeful that, with a clean bill of health and a more hitter-friendly home park, their newest acquisition can help anchor the lineup and mentor a young, ambitious roster.
With the dust settling on this headline-grabbing trade, both franchises look to the future—one banking on a legendary veteran’s resurgence, the other on the promise of youth and financial flexibility. All eyes will be on Arenado as he dons Diamondbacks colors, ready to prove there’s still magic left in his glove—and perhaps his bat.
