The Arizona Diamondbacks have made a significant acquisition by trading for veteran third baseman and eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals, as announced on Tuesday. The Diamondbacks received Arenado along with cash in exchange for minor-league righty Jack Martinez. Arenado waived his no-trade clause to finalize this deal.
We have completed the following trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks: pic.twitter.com/rxvtxmiyaF — St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) January 13, 2026
Similar to previous trades involving Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray, the Cardinals are taking on a substantial salary for this transaction. Arizona will only pay $5 million of Arenado’s $27 million salary for 2026 and $6 million of his $15 million salary for 2027, according to Arizona Republic. The Colorado Rockies will chip in $5 million towards Arenado’s 2026 salary, leaving St. Louis responsible for the remaining $26 million over 2026 and 2027.
This trade concludes a 16-month endeavor to move Arenado. He previously utilized his no-trade clause to block a deal with the Houston Astros last winter, expressing preference for only a select few teams. After remaining with the Cardinals through the 2025 season, he received an emotional farewell during their final home game. This year, Arenado broadened his trade possibilities, ultimately resulting in the Diamondbacks deal.
Arenado, who is approaching 35 years old, concluded the 2025 season with a .237/.289/.377 batting line (87 OPS+) and hit 12 home runs in 107 games for St. Louis. His performance has been declining significantly since he achieved a 150 OPS+ in 2022, dropping to 108 in 2023, 101 in 2024, and an 87 last season. Whether he can recover his prior offensive prowess will impact the success of this trade for the Diamondbacks. Statistically, Arenado remains a formidable defender at third base, recognized for his ten Gold Glove awards.
With Arenado on board, the Diamondbacks will have a cost-effective veteran presence while navigating the upcoming seasons. Jack Martinez, who was Arizona’s eighth-round pick in the 2025 draft, had a 5.47 ERA with 110 strikeouts across 77 ⅓ innings at Arizona State last spring but was not among Baseball America’s top 30 prospects pre-trade.
The Diamondbacks recorded an 80-82 record in 2025, missing postseason action, while the Cardinals finished at 78-84, now entering a rebuild under new POBO Chaim Bloom.
