Cardinals send Nolan Arenado to Diamondbacks for RHP Jack Martinez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized a trade to acquire 10-time Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals, the teams announced Tuesday. In exchange, the Cardinals will receive 22-year-old minor league right-hander Jack Martinez, an eighth-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, along with significant salary relief.
According to reports, the Diamondbacks will pay only $11 million of the $42 million remaining on Arenado’s contract over the next two seasons, with St. Louis covering the remaining $31 million. The deal concludes a year-long effort by the Cardinals to move the veteran star, who waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the transaction.
Arenado, who will turn 35 in April, is coming off a season limited by a right shoulder strain. In 107 games in 2025, he posted a .237 batting average with 12 home runs and 52 RBI—some of the lowest full-season totals of his decorated 13-year career. The eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner had spent the past five seasons in St. Louis after beginning his career with nine years in Colorado.
For Arizona, the move addresses a need at third base after the team reportedly showed interest in free agent Alex Bregman, who recently signed with the Chicago Cubs. Arenado is expected to slot into an infield featuring shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and second baseman Ketel Marte, whom the Diamondbacks recently declared off the trade market.
The trade marks a fresh start for Arenado, who had expanded his list of acceptable destinations after blocking a potential move to the Houston Astros a year ago. It also allows the Cardinals to continue their roster reshuffle while absorbing much of the financial burden to secure a deal.
