Nolan Arenado – St. Louis Cardinals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Nolan Arenado stands out as one of baseball’s elite third basemen. He’s known for combining jaw-dropping defense with steady offensive production year after year.

Since his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2013, the California native has picked up multiple Gold Glove awards and All-Star nods. He’s really become a cornerstone player for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Arenado’s financial story got a huge boost in 2019 when he signed an eight-year, $260 million contract with the Rockies. That deal made him one of the game’s highest-paid players, averaging $32.5 million a year.

After the Rockies traded him to the Cardinals, his contract kept paying off. The Rockies still have to send $5 million to the Cardinals in both 2025 and 2026, part of the original trade agreement.

By May 2025, Arenado’s net worth is about $50 million. That number comes from his massive baseball contracts and some solid endorsement deals.

He started out making just $512,000 in 2015, so going from that to one of the league’s biggest contracts really says a lot about his talent and value.

Early Life and Background

Nolan James Arenado’s path to baseball stardom started in Southern California. You could see his natural ability and drive from a young age.

His family and early years played a big part in shaping the player he became.

Family and Childhood

Born on April 16, 1991, in Newport Beach, California, Nolan Arenado grew up surrounded by baseball. His parents, Fernando and Millie Arenado, always supported his sports dreams.

Nolan’s Cuban and Puerto Rican roots gave him a rich cultural background. His cousin, Josh Fuentes, also reached the pros, so baseball talent definitely runs in the family.

Growing up in Lake Forest, California, Nolan showed off his hand-eye coordination and baseball instincts early on.

People noticed his fierce competitive spirit as a kid. He and his brother Jonah, who later played in the Giants’ minor league system, spent hours practicing drills together.

Amateur Baseball and Development

Arenado went to El Toro High School in Lake Forest and quickly made a name for himself as a top baseball prospect. He played shortstop and wowed scouts with his defense and hitting.

His senior year stats were wild—he batted over .500. Arizona State University wanted him, but he skipped college and jumped straight into pro ball after the Rockies picked him in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft.

He moved through the minors fast, building a reputation for slick fielding at third base. Over three seasons, he sharpened his defense and developed more power at the plate.

In 2011, he led the Minor Leagues with 122 RBIs and won Arizona Fall League MVP. Not bad at all.

MLB Career and Achievements

Nolan Arenado has become one of the top third basemen in baseball, thanks to his defense and steady offense. He’s racked up records and put up some impressive numbers at the plate.

Breakout with the Colorado Rockies

The Rockies drafted Arenado in 2009, and he made his MLB debut in 2013. Right away, he started making highlight-reel plays and won a Gold Glove as a rookie.

Between 2015 and 2019, he basically carried the Rockies. For five seasons in a row, he hit at least 30 home runs and drove in 100 runs. That’s rare consistency.

His best year in Colorado? Probably 2018—he hit .297 with 38 homers and 110 RBIs, finishing with a .935 OPS. That year, the Rockies made the postseason, beat the Cubs in the Wild Card, but lost to the Brewers in the Division Series.

St. Louis Cardinals Era

The Rockies traded Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021 in a blockbuster deal. He didn’t miss a beat in St. Louis and kept his Gold Glove streak alive.

He adjusted to Busch Stadium and kept mashing, hitting 34 home runs and driving in 105 runs his first year as a Cardinal. Fans in St. Louis quickly embraced him as a favorite.

Some critics once wondered if his numbers would drop outside Colorado’s hitter-friendly Coors Field. Arenado showed he could hit anywhere and kept playing elite defense.

All-Star Selections and Awards

Arenado’s trophy shelf is pretty packed. He’s made eight All-Star teams (2015-2019, 2021-2023), which puts him among the best at his position.

He’s won an incredible ten Gold Gloves in a row (2013-2022), which is almost unheard of for third basemen.

He’s also got five Silver Slugger Awards, showing he’s not just a defensive guy. In 2022, he made the All-MLB Second Team.

His steady numbers in so many categories have put him up there with the game’s greats.

Notable Career Moments

Arenado has delivered some unforgettable moments. On Father’s Day 2017, he hit a walk-off homer to complete the cycle against the Giants. He was the first in MLB history to do it that way.

He’s known for jaw-dropping defensive plays—diving stops, throws from his knees, and charging slow rollers. You’ll see his highlights on TV all the time.

In 2019, he notched his 1,000th career hit. He keeps climbing the leaderboards on both sides of the ball.

He’s one of the most complete players of his era, mixing power, defense, and clutch moments.

Contracts, Trades, and Free Agency

Nolan Arenado’s career has featured some major contracts and big moves that shaped his status as a top third baseman.

Major Contract Extensions and Terms

In February 2019, Arenado signed a huge 8-year, $260 million deal with the Rockies. At the time, he became one of baseball’s highest-paid players, with an average annual salary of $32.5 million.

The contract gave him some serious perks:

• Full no-trade clause
• Player opt-out after three seasons
• $25 million signing bonus

The Rockies wanted to lock down their franchise star after he’d already won four Gold Gloves and shown big-time offense.

Colorado Rockies to St. Louis Cardinals Trade

Even with that massive contract, things soured between Arenado and the Rockies. By January 2021, just two years into the deal, they traded him to the Cardinals.

The trade heavily favored St. Louis:

• The Rockies sent about $50 million to the Cardinals
• St. Louis gave up five minor leaguers, none considered top prospects
• The Cardinals landed one of baseball’s best all-around players

A lot of people call this one of the most lopsided trades in recent MLB history. Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak really took advantage of the Rockies’ urgency to move Arenado’s contract.

Opt-Out Clause and No-Trade Protection

After joining the Cardinals, Arenado’s contract got some tweaks. St. Louis added another year and $15 million, extending his deal through 2027.

He kept his opt-out options but chose not to use them after both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. That pretty much says he’s happy in St. Louis.

He still has full no-trade protection, so he controls his future moves.

By 2025, Arenado’s contract is set to pay him about $164 million for the rest of his time with the Cardinals. This setup has worked out well for both sides—St. Louis keeps financial flexibility and Arenado gets stability with a contender.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Nolan Arenado has built up a solid fortune over his career, with an estimated net worth of $50 million as of May 2025. His money mostly comes from baseball contracts and a handful of endorsement deals.

Salary and Career Earnings

Arenado’s earnings have been huge, especially after he signed that 8-year, $260 million extension with the Rockies in 2019.

When he moved to the Cardinals in 2021, he kept the contract’s value. The deal pays him an average of $32.5 million a year, putting him among the highest-paid third basemen.

The Cardinals restructured his deal to include a nice signing bonus but kept his overall pay intact. Over his career, he’s made more than $200 million in salary alone.

Before his mega-deal, he had a two-year contract for $29.5 million with the Rockies, already showing his rising value.

Endorsements and Business Ventures

On top of his salary, Arenado works with some big brands. His partnership with Rawlings stands out—he uses their gloves and has won a bunch of Gold Gloves along the way.

He also endorses Nike for apparel and Marucci for bats. These deals bring in seven figures a year on top of his baseball income.

Arenado isn’t flashy with business ventures. He’s put money into real estate in Colorado and California, but keeps a low profile.

He’s active in some charitable foundations, but those are more about giving back than making money. His wealth mostly comes from baseball and endorsements.

Role Among MLB’s Elite Third Basemen

Nolan Arenado has set the bar high for third basemen in today’s game. His defensive skills and steady offense have redefined what it means to play the hot corner.

Comparison with Manny Machado and Anthony Rendon

When you stack up the best third basemen, Arenado is right there with Manny Machado and Anthony Rendon. He’s got a career .287 average and over 300 home runs, which is pretty elite company.

Machado might have a bit more range, and Rendon’s approach gets him on base more often. Still, Arenado’s power and clutch moments stand out.

Contract-wise, Arenado’s 8-year, $260 million deal with Colorado put him on par with his peers. Machado signed for $300 million with San Diego, and Rendon got $245 million with the Angels. Clearly, teams pay a premium for top third basemen.

From 2015-2019, these three dominated the position:

Defensive Excellence in MLB History

Arenado’s defensive numbers put him right up there with the best third basemen in MLB history. He’s won 10 straight Gold Glove awards, placing him in the same breath as Brooks Robinson and Mike Schmidt.

You just can’t ignore his reaction time, arm strength, and instincts—they’ve become the gold standard for third basemen. When you see Arenado’s highlight plays—barehanded grabs, diving stops, those wild throws from awkward angles—it almost feels like he’s reinventing the position.

Advanced stats back up what your eyes see. Since 2013, Arenado has piled up more Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) at third base than anyone else, even topping Machado and Matt Chapman.

He studies hitters, adjusts his positioning, and shows a defensive IQ that coaches love to highlight. In fact, coaches often use his game film to teach younger infielders what great defense looks like.

Impact on Team Dynamics

Arenado’s leadership goes way past the numbers and really shapes team performance. When he joined the Cardinals, he instantly boosted their infield defense and gave Paul Goldschmidt some much-needed lineup protection.

His work ethic and preparation set the tone in both Colorado and St. Louis. Teammates often talk about how much his example has pushed them to improve their own defense.

“He makes everyone around him better,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said in 2023. “His attention to detail and commitment to winning elevate our entire infield.”

Arenado also thrives in high-pressure moments, especially when the playoffs are on the line. His career worth of $50 million says a lot about his value, but honestly, it’s tough to measure just how much he changes the culture and performance of a team.

Personal Life and Off-Field Influence

Behind the big-league success, Nolan Arenado keeps a pretty grounded personal life and finds ways to give back to different communities.

Personal Interests and Family

Nolan married his high school sweetheart, Laura Kwan, in December 2019. That’s been a solid anchor for him outside of baseball. In August 2022, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, which was a huge moment for Arenado and his family.

Family has always played a huge role in Nolan’s life. His cousin, Josh Fuentes, also made it to the majors, so baseball definitely runs in the family.

When he’s not flashing the leather at third, Arenado likes to play golf—a popular escape for a lot of MLB players. He’s just as competitive off the field, always looking for activities that keep his mind sharp during the offseason.

Charitable Activities and Community Impact

Arenado really stands out as a community leader thanks to his hands-on charitable work. He often jumps in with the Cardinals’ outreach programs, picking up right where he left off with the Rockies.

He runs annual charity baseball camps for kids, aiming to inspire the next wave of players. These camps also raise money for underprivileged communities.

ESPN has even spotlighted these camps, which give children a rare chance to learn from one of baseball’s best.

Arenado also gets involved with MLB’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program. He wants to bring baseball into more urban neighborhoods and help the sport grow more diverse.

He doesn’t stop there—he spends time at children’s hospitals, showing up to cheer up young patients and offer a bit of hope.