Diamondbacks acquire 8-time
All-Star 3B Nolan Arenado in a deal with the Cardinals
[January 14, 2026]
By DAVID BRANDT
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired eight-time All-Star
third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade Tuesday with the St. Louis
Cardinals, adding an accomplished veteran to a team trying to return
to the playoffs for the first time since a surprise World Series run
in 2023.
St. Louis received minor league pitcher Jack Martinez in the deal.
The rebuilding Cardinals are will be sending $31 million to the
D-backs to offset the $42 million Arenado is owed over the next two
seasons.
A 10-time Gold Glove winner, Arenado has played for the Cardinals
the past five seasons and was shopped extensively after the 2024
season and this offseason. The 34-year-old isn’t the offensive force
he used to be but will still provide experience at the position
after the D-backs dealt slugger Eugenio Suárez at last season’s
trade deadline.
“We’ve always liked the way he’s played the game and the impact he
can have when he’s not playing,” Arizona general manager Mike Hazen
said. “I think he’s a good fit. I know how much winning means to him
and is important to him — and it’s important to us.”
Arenado batted .237 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs last season and has
two years and $42 million remaining on a contract paying him $275
million for nine years. He is owed $27 million this year and $15
million in 2027.
St. Louis agreed to send Arizona $22 million to offset this season’s
salary — $2,666,666.67 on the 15th of each month from April to
September — and $9 million on Nov. 1, 2027.
Arenado waived a no-trade provision to accept the deal.
“One of the best that’s ever done what he does in the field and at
the plate,” Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom
said. “He’s someone who really appreciates this town as a baseball
town at its best. He’s a relentless competitor and someone who
really wants to win.”
Bloom it wasn’t fun to trade someone the caliber of Arenado, whom he
thinks will be voted to baseball’s Hall of Fame.
“That’s baseball royalty right there,” Bloom said. “We’re mindful of
that, but at the same time, a lot of what comes with this chair is
not letting emotion, sentiment and nostalgia override executing
what’s best for this team and being fully committed on where we need
to go.”
Arenado was one of the few veteran pieces that remained on the
Cardinals, who are building for the future with a young lineup that
includes Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson.
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For the Diamondbacks, the move is reminiscent of
2023, when Hazen signed third baseman Evan Longoria to a $4 million,
one-year deal. Longoria was at the end of a long and successful
career, providing 11 homers and solid defense in a part-time role as
Arizona made it all the way to the Fall Classic before losing to the
Texas Rangers.
Arenado projects as the D-backs’ starting third
baseman with young players like Blaze Alexander and Jordan Lawlar as
other options.
Both Alexander and Lawlar can play other positions, including second
base, shortstop and the outfield.
“We look for him to be a solid offensive contributor in our lineup,”
Hazen said of Arenado. “With the firepower we have at the top of our
lineup, we’re not looking for him to carry the offense. We don’t
need him to carry the offense. We need him to solidify and stabilize
our defense — that’s a huge component to this.”
Arizona also has looked for help at first base. Hazen said he hasn’t
discussed a potential role at first base for Arenado, but didn’t
rule out the possibility.
“I’m sure we’ll sit down and digest all this with him,” Hazen said.
“The last 24 hours has been kind of a whirlwind. I’m sure we’ll
tackle anything and everything as it relates to the team. I look
forward to spending a little more time with him and walking through
how the team is constructed.”
Martinez was an eighth round pick by the D-backs out of Arizona
State in 2025.
Arenado is a career .282 hitter and has 353 homers over 13 seasons
with the Cardinals and Rockies.
Retooling St. Louis has agreed to pay in three trades this
offseason, sending pitcher Sonny Gray and catcher Willson Contreras
to Boston in separate deals. The Cardinals will pay Boston $20
million as part of the Gray trade.
St. Louis also finalized a one-year contract with right-handed
reliever Ryne Stanek that includes a club option for 2027. This will
be the 34-year-old’s sixth MLB team over 10 seasons.
Stanek was 4-6 with a 5.30 ERA and 58 strikeouts over 65 appearances
with the New York Mets last season.
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