St. Louis

Cardinals

Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told reporters the deal is now official. The hard-throwing 34-year-old middle reliever fortifies St. Louis’ bullpen after recording an underwhelming 5.30 ERA — 4.40 FIP — 1.57 WHIP and 58/32 K/BB ratio across 56 innings for the Mets last year. He’s been a durable innings-eater, making 55 appearances or more in each of the past five seasons, and has some experience in high-leverage spots. He isn’t a threat to close with the Cardinals but it wouldn’t be shocking if he wound up vulturing the occasional save from Riley O’Brien or JoJo Romero.

There are multiple pathways to a starting role for Wetherholt next season in the wake of Nolan Arenado being dealt to the Diamondbacks and with Brendan Donovan continuing to surface in trade rumors. The 23-year-old top prospect batted .306/.421/.510 with 17 homers and 23 steals in 109 games in the upper minors last season and could fit at either third base or second if St. Louis is willing to start his service-time clock and let him compete for NL Rookie of the Year honors. Wetherholt projects as an immediate five-category fantasy contributor with a chance to break camp as the Cardinals’ top-of-the-order table-setter. Nolan Gorman is the leading internal candidate to take over at third base, if Wetherholt opens the year back at Triple-A Memphis, though his persistent struggles against left-handed pitching remain an obstacle to everyday at-bats.

Martinez was the Diamondbacks’ 8th round pick in this last draft. He posted a 5.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 110/33 K/BB ratio in 77 1/3 innings at Arizona State. He’s a tall pitcher with a deceptive delivery and a big upper-90s fastball. While his ratios were not great in college, he has a true four-pitch mix and the frame to hold up to a long MLB season, so this is a solid gamble for the Cardinals, who are desperate for young starting pitching.

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.

Zimmerman made one ill-fated, late-season spot start for the playoff-bound Brewers and was tagged for six runs — five earned — over six innings by the Padres before being cut loose by the club. The 30-year-old southpaw put together a solid 4.19 FIP across 138 innings of work over 28 appearances at the Triple-A level last year. He’ll presumably have a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Cardinals in spring training.

Financial teams have not been disclosed as of yet, but it’d be a surprise if this wasn’t a one-year deal. Stanek forged a disappointing 5.30 ERA in his time with the Mets in 2025, but the 34-year-old still throws hard and can generate whiffs. He’ll have a chance to be a high-leverage option for St. Louis in 2026.

Stanek, 34, has had several teams showing interest in him as of late, including the Cubs. The 34-year-old right-hander would have a chance to be a high-leverage option for St. Louis in 2026, but it seems a little unlikely he’d be competing for saves.

Kent was designated for assignment by St. Louis after the Cardnals acquired Justin Bruihl. The 27-year-old reliever should compete for one of the final spots in the Rangers’ bullpen if he doesn’t become victim of a roster crunch before spring training.

The flaw of arbitration is that you can be a pretty terrible player otherwise, but if you hit homers, you’ll get paid. Gorman, who was eligible for arbitration, was decent enough in 2023, but he’s hit .204/.284/.385 with a 36% strikeout rate and bad defense in 218 games the last two years. He’ll probably get another long look this season, assuming that the Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado and/or Brendan Donovan, but José Fermín and Thomas Saggese both project as better players at this point and top prospect JJ Wetherholt could crash the party soon.

Donovan made $2.85 million last season in his first year of arbitration. With two years to go before free agency, he’s been a hot topic in trade rumors, though the Cardinals still could keep him around as their primary second baseman.