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The Arizona Diamondbacks made a splash Tuesday by acquiring eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado and cash considerations from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for minor league pitcher Jack Martinez, the teams announced.
The Cardinals reportedly sent $31 million to the Diamondbacks to help offset the final two years of Arenado’s nine-year contract, worth $275 million.
The Cardinals are sending Arizona $22 million to offset this season’s salary — $2,666,666.67 on the 15th of each month from April through September — and $9 million on Nov. 1, 2027, according to reports.
The 34-year-old is no longer the offensive force he once was, as he hit .237 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs last season, and his numbers have declined in each of the last two seasons.
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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates in the dugout after scoring on an RBI during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The play took place in Denver, Colorado on July 21, 2025. (Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images)
The 10-time Gold Glove winner still plays a solid third base and will bolster the Diamondbacks’ defensive position. Arenado gives the team a veteran presence at the position after the Diamondbacks traded slugger Eugenio Suárez at last season’s trade deadline.
Arenado waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal.
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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) throws to first base for an out against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at Oracle Park. The play took place in San Francisco, California on September 23, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Imagn Images)
“We are grateful for Nolan’s five years as a Cardinal, on and off the field – for his drive, his competitiveness and for all the memories he left us,” Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said in a statement.
“As we continue to move forward, we are pleased to add another promising pitcher to our organization, and we are excited about the opportunity this move creates for a number of our players to progress and further establish themselves at the big league level,” Bloom added.
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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) returns home after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Oracle Park. The play took place in San Francisco, California on September 23, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Imagn Images)
Arenado is a career .282 hitter with 353 home runs and 1,184 RBIs.
Martinez was an eighth-round pick by the Arizona State D-backs in 2025. He did not pitch after being signed. In his final college season, Martinez had a 5.47 ERA while striking out 110 batters with 33 walks in 77 1/3 innings.
