Nolan

Arenado

Not only did Arenado swat a solo blast in his debut with Arizona, but he did it against his long-time former employer in the Rockies. The 34-year-old has not posted an OPS above .800 since 2022, but while it’s hard to imagine him ever reaching his previous success, it’s feasible he’ll be a competent option again in 2026.

Arenado was ultimately traded to the Diamondbacks, which is where he told the Cardinals preferred to play, but the Athletics “would have absorbed more money than the Diamondbacks.” While the Athletics could still pursue options like Eugenio Suarez and Yoan Moncada, Rosenthal reports that they “intend to use Max Muncy at third base, with Brett Harris and Darell Hernaiz also in the mix.”

It’s an intriguing strategy considering Arenado’s bat has fallen off as he has gotten older, but his defense at third base remains strong. He also has seen his power decline, so he would not be the conventional choice for a first baseman. According to Rosenthal, the sticking point “was that the Padres were unwilling to take on as much of Arenado’s salary as the D-Backs,” which is also curious because the Diamondbacks only took on $11 million of Arenado’s $42 million. Perhaps their pursuit wasn’t overly enthusiastic, but the Padres are clearly looking for a solution at first base.

This deal came together quickly, and, according to The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, the Diamondbacks are only paying Arenado $5 million this year and $6 million next year, thanks to the money the Cardinals are sending over. Arenado hit .237/.289/.377 with 12 home runs and 52 RBI for the Cardinals in 107 games last season while battling injuries. It was the first time he had played under 144 games in a season since 2014. The 34-year-old is no longer the offensive player that he was in his prime, but he remains a good defender with elite contact rates, both of which will be a boon to the Diamondbacks. Of course, this means that Arizona’s top prospect, Jordan Lawlar, is, once again, without a clear starting job heading into spring training.

Maybe the D-backs really don’t think Jordan Lawlar can play. It won’t require much talent to bring in Arenado; it’s mostly just a matter of how much of the contract they’d have to absorb. If something gets done, then there’s a good chance Lawlar will return to Triple-A. The Cardinals would be clearing room for top prospect J.J. Wetherholt, but they’d probably start off the season with Nolan Gorman or Thomas Saggese at third base.

With Francisco Lindor at short, Correa was going to give third base a try in the 2023 WBC, only to drop out due to the upcoming birth of his child. Now that Correa is, in fact, a third baseman, it’s an easier fit. Beltrán also confirmed that Riley Greene, Nolan Arenado and George Springer have been invited to play for Team Puerto Rico. Arenado played for Team USA in 2017 and ’23, but he’s expected to switch it up this time.

Obviously, the Cardinals want to move on from Arenado, but they won’t release him in order to do so. Arenado is due to make $27 million next year and $15 million in 2027. That final season was added on to Arenado’s original eight-year contract with the Rockies as part of him waiving his no-trade clause to join the Cardinals.

Nolan Gorman was taken out of the official lineup so that Arenado could be celebrated in what’s probably his final home game in St. Louis, but Gorman was inserted right away when play began. That the Cardinals went this route suggests Arenado has softened on his no-trade stance with two years left on his deal. The Cardinals tried dealing him last winter, but he used his no-trade powers to turn down a deal to Houston.

Arenado broke the game wide open with a bases-clearing three-run double in the fifth inning that transformed a 2-1 lead into a 5-1 advantage. It was his only hit in five at-bats on the night but played a critical role in the victory for the Cardinals. It has been a rough season overall for the 34-year-old third baseman, hitting just .233/.290/.363 with 10 homers and 48 RBI in 411 plate appearances.

The Cardinals don’t need Arenado back at this point, but it could be easier to find a taker for him this winter if he shows he’s healthy these last two weeks. He also might be more inclined to accept a trade if the Cardinals tell him he’ll be a part-timer next year if he sticks around. Arenado has hit .235/.294/.366 with 10 homers and 43 RBI in 394 plate appearances this season. His return probably means less playing time for Nolan Gorman, but Gorman figures to get some starts at first and second to make up for some of what he loses at third.