MLB Trade Rumors: Nolan Arenado is being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks by the St. Louis Cardinals, per multiple reports.
Arenado, who turns 35 in April, originally came up with the Colorado Rockies, and was one of the best players in baseball for a decade with them. The Rockies extended him but, to the amazement of the baseball world, Rockies management volunteered the information that they proposed an opt out for Arenado in the deal — it was not something Arenado had requested.
This led to a
situation after the 2020 season where Arenado wanted out, and the Cardinals felt that they had to move him lest they see him opt out and walk, with them receiving nothing in return. However, Colorado ended up trading Arenado to St. Louis for a nominal return, and paying almost $50 million of Arenado’s salary in the deal. Colorado would have been better off if they’d just let Arenado opt out and walk.
Part of the trade involved Arenado getting an extra year on his contract, which otherwise would have ended after the 2026 season. Arenado is owed $27 million for 2026, with $5 million of that paid by the Rockies, and $15 million for 2027.
The consensus has been that the Cards would have to subsidize some of that money in order to move Arenado, since he has declined over the last couple of seasons. Arenado slashed .237/.289/.377 in 2025, for a career low 87 OPS+, in 107 games, and hasn’t had a bWAR of higher than 2.5 the last three seasons.
