After months of speculation, the Nolan Arenado era in St. Louis has officially come to a close.
The Cardinals traded the 10-time Gold Glove third baseman to the Arizona Diamondbacks, bringing an end to a tenure that once seemed destined for long-term success. In the deal, St.
Louis agreed to pay down Arenado’s contract to just two years and $11 million, while Arizona sent back a modest return: 2023 eighth-round pick Jack Martinez.
This move wasn’t exactly a shocker. The Cardinals had been transparent about their desire to clear salary and open up third base for younger talent.
Nolan Gorman, in particular, looks like the early favorite to step into that role. But what adds intrigue here is Arenado’s full no-trade clause - he had complete control over where he landed.
After limiting his options last offseason, he expanded that list this winter and ultimately gave the green light to Arizona.
In his introductory press conference, Arenado didn’t dodge the reality of the Cardinals' direction. “Seeing where [the Cardinals] were headed the past few years, it was very evident that there’s a step they need to take,” he said.
“Letting these young guys go and finding out who they are, and who their identity is. I think I’m just kind of in the way of that, in a sense.
I kind of always felt like that last year.”
There’s a certain honesty in that statement - a veteran recognizing that his presence, while still valuable, might be blocking the next wave of talent. And from Arizona’s side, the appeal is clear.
Arenado pointed to the D-backs’ young core - names like Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo, and Ketel Marte - as part of what drew him in. Add in the proximity to his Southern California roots and a team that plays with energy and speed, and it’s not hard to see why this fit made sense.
Arenado will slot in as the everyday third baseman, and while the glove remains elite, the bat is a bit of a question mark. He’s coming off a down year - a .237/.289/.377 line over 107 games - and at age 35, there’s fair reason to wonder what’s left in the tank offensively. But even if the bat doesn’t fully bounce back, the glove alone gives Arizona a steady presence at the hot corner.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, this deal came together quickly. According to team president Chaim Bloom, conversations with Arizona picked up speed recently.
The D-backs had been in the market for a third baseman, initially going after Alex Bregman before he signed with the Cubs. Not long after Arizona reportedly took Ketel Marte off the trade block, talks with St.
Louis gained traction.
Interestingly, the Diamondbacks also showed interest in Brendan Donovan, a versatile left-handed hitter who’s drawn trade buzz this offseason. While Arizona’s pursuit of Donovan hadn’t been reported until now, it appears to be more of a passing inquiry than a serious push.
With Marte, Perdomo, and now Arenado holding down the infield, Donovan would likely be viewed more as a left field option in Arizona - but teams with a second base need, like the Mariners or Giants, are probably better positioned to meet St. Louis’ asking price.
So where do the D-backs go from here? Their focus now shifts to two key areas: a right-handed hitting first baseman and bullpen help.
Paul Goldschmidt has loomed as a logical fit all offseason, and bringing in Arenado - his longtime teammate in St. Louis - only strengthens that connection.
Whether Arizona can pull that off remains to be seen, but the interest is real.
As for the bullpen, it’s still a work in progress. The only major league addition so far is Taylor Clarke, re-signed on a one-year, $1.55 million deal.
Clarke is more of a middle innings arm than a high-leverage option, and that’s the theme throughout the current relief corps. Until A.J.
Puk and Justin Martinez return from elbow surgeries, Arizona’s back-end options are limited.
General manager Mike Hazen didn’t sugarcoat the challenge. “Would I like to have somebody that has a clear pedigree of pitching in the eighth and ninth inning?
That’s an easier answer,” Hazen said. “I’m not sure what we’ll have access to in that way.”
He acknowledged the need to keep adding to the bullpen, but also emphasized internal development and health as the most likely paths to improvement.
The good news for Arizona: there’s reason for optimism on the injury front. Puk, who underwent internal brace surgery in late June, is tracking toward a return within the first few months of the season. Martinez, who had a full Tommy John reconstruction - his second - is eyeing a second-half comeback.
The D-backs have also stocked up on upper-minors arms with MLB potential. Brandyn Garcia, Juan Burgos, and Andrew Hoffmann were all acquired at last summer’s trade deadline and could factor into the bullpen mix sooner rather than later.
Bottom line: Arizona is making calculated moves to stay competitive in a loaded National League. The Arenado trade is a bet on short-term upside and veteran leadership, while the rest of the roster build will rely on internal growth and smart, targeted additions. If they can shore up the bullpen and possibly land a bat at first base, the D-backs could be setting themselves up for another run at October.