The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals in a blockbuster trade that ends a year-long saga and reshapes both franchises. The Cardinals will receive 22-year-old right-handed pitching prospect Jack Martinez, an eighth-round pick from the 2025 MLB Draft, while also agreeing to pay $31 million of the $42 million remaining on Arenado's contract according to ESPN. Arenado waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal, marking a significant shift after he blocked a trade to the Houston Astros just over a year ago.
How the Arenado Trade Unfolded: Inside the Deal That Shook MLB
The trade, announced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, represents a major salary dump for the Cardinals as they continue their rebuild under president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. According to MLB.com, Arenado is owed $42 million over the next two seasons, with the Cardinals covering $31 million of that amount. The Diamondbacks will pay $5 million of his $27 million salary in 2026 and $6 million of his $15 million in 2027, per reports from Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
Arenado's agent had been working with the Cardinals for months to find a suitable trade partner after the third baseman expanded his list of acceptable destinations. The Diamondbacks emerged as the frontrunner after missing out on free agent Alex Bregman, who signed with the Chicago Cubs earlier in the offseason. "I think he's a good fit for us as a team," Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen told MLB.com. "We lost some of our position player group last year in the middle of the season when I traded them at the Deadline. So even though I know a lot of the fixation this offseason has been on the pitching, we still felt like adding back to the position player group was important for us."
Cardinals president Chaim Bloom expressed gratitude for Arenado's contributions in a statement obtained by ESPN: "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."
From Colorado to St. Louis to Arizona: The Nolan Arenado Timeline
Nolan Arenado's journey to this trade has been years in the making. Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft, Arenado quickly established himself as one of baseball's premier third basemen, winning eight consecutive Gold Gloves from 2013-2020 and earning five Silver Slugger awards. After signing a nine-year, $275 million extension with Colorado before the 2019 season, he was surprisingly traded to the Cardinals in 2021.
In St. Louis, Arenado continued his defensive excellence, adding two more Gold Gloves to bring his total to 10, but his offensive production began to decline. The 2025 season proved particularly challenging as he battled back and hand injuries, posting career-worst numbers with a .237 batting average, .289 on-base percentage, and .377 slugging percentage with just 12 home runs in 107 games according to ESPN statistics.
Trade rumors swirled throughout the 2025 season, culminating in Arenado using his no-trade clause to block a deal to the Houston Astros in December 2024. As Yahoo Sports reported, Arenado's agent indicated the player would be open to moving positions "if it's the right place to go," signaling a willingness to facilitate a trade. The Cardinals' offseason moves—trading Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras—made it clear they were entering a rebuild phase, setting the stage for Arenado's eventual departure.
Why the Diamondbacks Are Betting on Arenado's Bounce-Back
At 34 years old (turning 35 in April), Arenado represents a calculated risk for the Diamondbacks. While his offensive numbers have declined significantly over the past two seasons, his defensive prowess remains elite. As Baseball America notes, Arenado "still has a solid understanding of the strike zone and is difficult to strike out," but his exit velocities and hard-hit rates rank near the bottom of MLB third basemen.
The Diamondbacks are banking on several factors for a potential resurgence: a more hitter-friendly ballpark in Chase Field compared to Busch Stadium, better health after an injury-plagued 2025, and the motivation that comes with joining a competitive team. "Last year, I'm sure it didn't go as well as he had wanted it to," Hazen told MLB.com. "We definitely see the ability to bounce back here. We're excited about that. We know how much work he's going to put into that."
Arenado won't be asked to carry Arizona's offense, which features young stars like Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Gabriel Moreno, and Geraldo Perdomo. Instead, his primary value may come from his glove—Arenado's 10 Gold Gloves and six Platinum Gloves as the league's best defender provide immediate defensive upgrade at third base, something Hazen emphasized: "We think he really solidifies our defense on the infield. It's been a priority for us to improve our defense, which I believe is going to have a direct impact on our pitching in a significant way."
Where the Diamondbacks and Cardinals Stand Now
For the Diamondbacks, the trade addresses a glaring need at third base created when they traded Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners at last year's deadline. Arenado is expected to be the everyday third baseman, with Blaze Alexander potentially moving to the outfield to cover for the injured Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Top prospect Jordan Lawlar, a natural shortstop, could also see time in the outfield as the team seeks to maximize its talent.
In St. Louis, the trade clears significant salary and opens playing time for top prospect JJ Wetherholt, who Baseball America identifies as a potential impact player. With Arenado gone, Nolan Gorman is expected to move back to third base, his more natural defensive position, while Masyn Winn anchors shortstop. The Cardinals also continue to entertain trade offers for super-utility man Brendan Donovan, according to ESPN sources.
Financially, the Cardinals have now paid $59 million to facilitate trades of Arenado, Gray, and Contreras this offseason, dramatically reducing their payroll commitments. As ESPN notes, St. Louis now has no players under contract beyond the 2026 season, with a current payroll slightly over $100 million—a stark contrast to recent years.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for Arenado and Martinez
For Nolan Arenado, the pressure will be on to prove he's not in permanent decline. His performance in 2026 will determine whether this trade becomes a savvy acquisition or an expensive gamble for Arizona. Early projections suggest moderate improvement in the more favorable hitting environment of Chase Field, but at 35, Arenado faces the inevitable challenges of aging for a power hitter.
Jack Martinez, the prospect heading to St. Louis, represents an intriguing if unspectacular return. As Baseball America's scouting report details, the 22-year-old right-hander sits 93-95 mph with his fastball, touching 97, but has struggled with command. He shows better feel for a low-80s slider and changeup, profiling more as a future reliever than a starter. Martinez did not rank among Arizona's top 30 prospects and was considered outside the organization's top 10-15 pitching prospects.
The Cardinals' rebuild appears to be accelerating, with attention now turning to developing young talent like Wetherholt, Winn, and potentially Martinez. For the Diamondbacks, the trade signals a commitment to competing in 2026 despite coming off an 80-82 season. With Arenado joining an already solid core, Arizona hopes to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the competitive NL West.
Key Takeaways from the Blockbuster Trade
The Nolan Arenado trade represents a classic change-of-scenario move for both player and teams. For Arenado, it's an opportunity to revitalize his career in a new environment with less offensive pressure. For the Diamondbacks, it's a chance to add a future Hall of Famer's pedigree and defensive excellence at a discounted price. For the Cardinals, it's another step in a necessary rebuild that clears significant future financial commitments.
Key points to remember: The Cardinals will pay 74% of Arenado's remaining contract; Arenado waived his no-trade clause after blocking a deal to Houston last year; The Diamondbacks acquire a 10-time Gold Glove winner coming off his worst offensive season; Jack Martinez, while not a top prospect, adds organizational pitching depth for St. Louis; The trade opens third base for Arizona and creates opportunity for prospects in both organizations.
As spring training approaches, all eyes will be on how this blockbuster deal reshapes both franchises and whether Nolan Arenado can rediscover the form that made him one of baseball's most feared hitters for nearly a decade.
