Newly acquired Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado celebrates in the dugout after scoring on an RBI in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

BREAKING: Diamondbacks Acquire Nolan Arenado From Cardinals

Brandon Dutz

The Arizona Diamondbacks are acquiring eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Diamondbacks have been looking to add another infield bat to their lineup, and Nolan Arenado could be the perfect fit on the left side of the infield.

Diamondbacks Get Nolan Arenado

After being linked to Alex Bregman for most of the offseason, the Diamondbacks have pivoted to Nolan Arenado, who has been on the trade block for years. The eight-time All-Star third baseman has agreed to waive his no-trade clause to head to Arizona, and the deal is done, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. The move signals the Diamondbacks are looking to add rather than subtract, shifting from their originally anticipated offseason plan.

This deal benefits both sides. The Cardinals are entering another rebuild and looking to move veteran talent to replenish their farm system and clear payroll. Arenado has two years remaining on his contract at $16 million next season, which is a manageable figure. St. Louis will cover $31 million of the $42 million owed, making the deal even more favorable for Arizona.

At 34, Arenado’s elite bat has declined rapidly. This past season, he hit .236 with a .666 OPS, among the worst numbers of his career. He suffered a right shoulder strain and a sprained finger in late June that significantly impacted his power. He returned in September but continued to struggle at the plate. A full offseason to recover and a change of scenery could be exactly what Arenado needs.

Cardinals Continue Tearing It Down

In return for Nolan Arenado, the Cardinals are receiving RHP Jack Martinez, the Diamondbacks’ 8th round pick from Arizona State University in this past draft. Martinez brings a mid-90s fastball that tops out at 97 mph, complemented by a solid changeup and slider combination. Last season, he posted an impressive 32.3% strikeout rate across 15 starts and 77.1 innings. The acquisition continues the Cardinals’ clear focus on accumulating young pitching talent.

The next name likely to be dealt is Brendan Donovan, who has emerged as one of the hottest commodities on the trade market. The San Francisco Giants have positioned themselves as frontrunners for Donovan as they aggressively pursue a second baseman. He brings Gold Glove defense, an All-Star bat, and the positional versatility the Giants highly value. Left-handed pitcher Carson Whisenhunt and their latest first-round pick, shortstop Gavin Kilen, are two potential names to watch in a deal between the Giants and Cardinals. 

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