BREAKING: The Arizona Diamondbacks are acquiring eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, sources tell ESPN. Arenado has agreed to waive his no-trade clause and the deal is done.
First to say the deal was close was @katiejwoo.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks receive:
- 3B Nolan Arenado
- $31 million in cash considerations
St. Louis Cardinals receive:
- RHP Jack Martinez
Arizona Diamondbacks grade: A
Nolan Arenado is coming off the worst season of his career at the plate, recording only 12 homers, 52 RBIs and an 87 OPS+, his worst season at the plate since his rookie season back in 2013. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were the hottest rap group in the world the last time Nolan Arenado was this mid at the plate.
But with 10 Gold Gloves back at the crib, even at age 35, Arenado instantly improves the defense and pitching.
Nolan Arenado recorded 6 defensive runs saved last season.
All of the Diamondbacks third basemen combined for a -7 DRS.
Infield singles no longer exist in Arizona, certainly not up the third base line.
Plus, Arizona only pays only $5 million of Arenado’s $27 million salary in 2026 and $6 million of his $15 million salary in 2027, St. Louis and Colorado are footing the rest of the bill.
Arizona gets a free Hall of Fame third baseman to replace the garbage they had last season. Why not?
St. Louis Cardinals grade: A-
Between Sonny Gray, Wilson Contreras and now Nolan Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals are now paying around $73 million to players no longer on their team. The Cardinals are paying the price of the entire Miami Marlins 26-man roster, just to make 3 guys go away.
But fuck it, the 2025 St. Louis Cardinals finished 6 games below .500, good for 4th place.
Why keep old expensive vets on the roster, knowing they’ll only decline further, going through the motions day-to-day on a losing ball club?
No one in the St. Louis Cardinals batting order is over the age of 30. Same goes for their pitching rotation.
The rebuild begins.
In exchange for Nolan Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals bring back 22-year-old pitcher Jack Martinez, who finished with a 3.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 15 college starts.
He’s a lotto ticket.
Maybe St. Louis gets lucky.
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Comment 1
Matt C.
January 13, 2026This trade does nothing for both teams.