Opinion: Did the Cardinals get enough for Nolan Arenado?

Nolan Arenado (Arturo Pardavila III, Wikimedia Commons)

There was an intriguing trade made on Tuesday between the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cardinals traded third baseman Nolan Arenado of Newport Beach, California to the Diamondbacks for pitching prospect Jack Martinez of Wichita Falls, Texas according to Rogers Sportsnet. At first glance, my reaction to this trade is simple. What were the Cardinals thinking and why did they what Martinez so much when he was terrible last season at Arizona State?

Arenado is an eight-time All-Star (five consecutive seasons with the Colorado Rockies from 2015 to 2019 and three straight seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2021 to 2023). The Cardinals obviously showed concern in Arenado’s drop-off in production in 2025. Last season, he only batted .237, which was 45 points below his career batting average of .282, had 20 home runs below his career average (12 compared to 32), and 130 points below his career average in slugging percentage (.377 versus .507).

It appears the Diamondbacks believe Arenado has some offensive power left in the tank. During his days in Colorado he led the National League in home runs on three occasions. It in a sport of what have you dome for me lately, the answer in Arenado’s case is not much.

Still, one needs to wonder if the Cardinals got enough for Arenado, and the answer here is no. It is actually shocking that the Cardinals acquired a pitcher who struggled mightily at the NCAA level. Martinez had an earned run average last season of 5.47. The Cardinals are getting a pitcher with zero MLB experience. It will be interesting to see Martinez’s overall progression going forward.