After months of speculation, the St. Louis Cardinals have parted ways with star third baseman Nolan Arenado, dealing him to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a move that signals a new direction for both franchises.
Want to know what people are really saying? Don’t miss the buzz from Reddit at the end!
Arenado’s Blockbuster Trade: The End of an Era in St. Louis
The long-anticipated trade of Nolan Arenado has finally come to fruition, as the St. Louis Cardinals shipped the eight-time All-Star third baseman to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Arenado has stated multiple times that his preference is to play for a contending team. “Katie Woo” The Cardinals agreed to pay $31 million of Arenado’s remaining $42 million contract, receiving right-handed pitching prospect Jack Martinez in return. Despite Arenado’s offensive struggles in 2025 when he hit .232 with just 12 home runs and 52 RBIs over 401 at-bats, his elite defense and resume made him an attractive trade chip.
The Saga Concludes: Cardinals Finally Deal Arenado
The trade brings an end to a saga that has lingered for nearly 15 months, as the rebuilding Cardinals aimed to move their cornerstone player who no longer fit their youth movement under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. Arenado, who turns 35 in April, made it clear he wanted to play for a contender, making his return to St. Louis untenable for both sides. In 2025, the nine-time Gold Glover posted a .231 batting average with 93 hits, 48 runs scored, 28 walks and 49 strikeouts across 401 at-bats.
Rebuilding Cardinals Move On From Arenado, Acquire Pitching Prospect
Martinez, the Cardinals acquire a 22-year-old right-hander who was an eighth-round pick out of Arizona State in 2022. While he struggled with a 5.47 ERA in his lone college season, Martinez boasts a 92-94 mph fastball, an above-average changeup, and a below-average slider. His unorthodox delivery may be better suited for a bullpen role long-term. For the Cardinals, this deal represents a step towards replenishing their farm system as they rebuild around young talent. Arenado added just 3 stolen bases and 1 triple to his offensive totals last year.
Arenado Joins Contending D-Backs After Cardinals Exodus
On the other side, Arenado joins a Diamondbacks club that reached the NL Championship Series in 2023 but has missed the playoffs the past two seasons. The 10-time Gold Glove winner will bolster an infield that already features Ketel Marte, who hit .283 with 28 homers, 87 runs and 72 RBIs in 2025, and Geraldo Perdomo, who swiped 27 bags and legged out 5 triples as part of a .289 campaign with 20 longballs and 100 RBIs. As Arizona looks to contend in the ultra-competitive NL West alongside the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers, they’ve shored up their rotation by re-signing Merrill Kelly and adding Mike Soroka.
Offensive Struggles Seal Arenado’s Fate in St. Louis
While Arenado’s defensive prowess remains elite, his offensive numbers have declined for three straight seasons, culminating in a disappointing 2023 where he hit just .237 with 12 home runs and a .666 OPS. Those struggles, coupled with a six-week absence due to a shoulder injury, ultimately sealed his fate with the Cardinals as they opted to move on from the fading slugger despite his impressive resume. Arenado managed just 18 doubles over 401 at-bats last year.
Internet Reactions to Arenado’s Blockbuster Trade
The news of Nolan Arenado’s trade from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Arizona Diamondbacks has generated a range of reactions online. Some fans are left scratching their heads, wondering why the move was made, with one user simply asking, “Why?” Others are more cynical, speculating that Arenado’s performance may be inconsistent, predicting he’ll hit well against the Giants but struggle against everyone else. Meanwhile, a more playful commenter suggests the trade was orchestrated “to fuck with the Red Sox plans. For fun.”
Amidst the general confusion and speculation, one user takes a more lighthearted approach, anticipating the day when people will wonder, “Wait, he played there?” in reference to Arenado’s tenure with the Diamondbacks. This comment suggests that the once-dominant third baseman’s move to a new team may lead to him being forgotten or overlooked in the years to come, a fate that often befalls even the most celebrated players when they change teams late in their careers.
One particularly insightful commenter suggests that the Diamondbacks’ acquisition of Arenado may have been driven by a desire to undermine the prospects of their divisional rival, the San Francisco Giants. This idea reflects the complex web of rivalries and strategic considerations that often shape high-profile trades in professional sports, as teams seek to not only improve their own rosters but also disrupt the plans of their competitors.