Cardinals Trade Nolan Arenado to Diamondbacks, Ending Trade Saga

The blockbuster trade sending Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Arizona Diamondbacks feels like a real turning point. Two franchises, headed in opposite directions—one hitting reset, the other chasing a boost in the National League—are making bold moves.

Cardinals Signal a Clear Shift Toward the Future

It’s not just about moving a star. Under new baseball operations president Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals seem set on prioritizing youth and payroll flexibility over hanging onto veterans.

The focus has shifted to long-term development, and there’s a sense of urgency about it.

Why St. Louis Was Willing to Pay to Move Arenado

The Cardinals agreed to cover $31 million of the remaining $42 million on Arenado’s contract. That’s a big chunk, but it really shows how much they want to speed up a rebuild.

Arenado has two years left on his eight-year, $260 million deal—he’s owed $27 million in 2026 and $15 million in 2027, with some deferrals in there. St. Louis had already started moving veterans like Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras.

With Arenado gone, the last pieces of a once-reliable core are out the door. The return—right-hander Jack Martinez and an eighth-round draft pick—doesn’t blow anyone away, but it does free up money and playing time for younger infielders.

Arizona Seizes the Moment in a Shifting Market

The Diamondbacks moved quickly after the third-base market changed. Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs, which took a big name off the board and let Arizona pivot to Arenado as a solution.

Arenado Waives His No-Trade Clause

Arenado had blocked trades before, but this offseason he opened up his list of destinations. Arizona made the cut, and the deal got done.

He’ll turn 35 in April, but his reputation as a respected veteran is still rock solid. The Diamondbacks hope he’ll bring some spark back to a team hungry for October baseball.

What the Diamondbacks Are Getting—and Risking

Even though Arenado’s bat isn’t what it used to be, his defense is still elite. He’s won the Gold Glove ten times, and his glove should make a real difference for Arizona’s infield.

Elite Defense, Declining Offense

The bat, though, has cooled off. Last year he hit just .237 with a .666 OPS and only 12 home runs.

Arizona’s hoping a change of scenery and a better lineup around him can help. It’s a bit of a gamble, but maybe it pays off.

The Diamondbacks infield now lines up like this:

Jack Martinez: A Developmental Arm for St. Louis

The only player coming back to St. Louis, Jack Martinez, fits the profile Bloom seems to like—young, controllable, and with some upside.

Scouting the Return

Martinez, 22, pitched for Arizona State as a senior. He throws a 92–94 mph fastball and mixes in an above-average changeup.

His college ERA was 5.47, so there’s some inconsistency. With a delivery that might work better out of the bullpen, St. Louis probably sees him as a project rather than an instant fix.

A Calculated Gamble for Arizona

The Diamondbacks won the NL pennant in 2023. But they’ve missed the postseason for the last two years.

They brought back Merrill Kelly and picked up Mike Soroka. That says pretty clearly: they want to win now.

It’s not exactly a sure thing. If Arizona struggles by July, Arenado’s contract and reputation could make him a trade chip at the deadline.

Right now, though, the Diamondbacks are betting on his leadership, defense, and experience to push them back into the mix. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are finally turning the page on an era that basically defined a decade of baseball in St. Louis.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado to D-Backs, ending long saga: Sources