The St. Louis Cardinals completed the long-anticipated trade of veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. The deal involved the Cardinals acquiring a single pitching prospect, Jack Martinez, who was selected in the eighth round of the 2025 MLB Draft. St. Louis agreed to cover $31 million of the $42 million remaining on Arenado’s contract, which extends through the 2027 season. The trade sparked controversy, with former Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn expressing strong dissatisfaction, arguing the team should have secured more in return for Arenado despite the player’s recent performance decline.
Financial and Performance Factors Behind the Trade
Given Arenado’s visible drop in offensive output—posting a career-low OPS of .666 last season at age 34—the Cardinals found themselves forced to absorb a large portion of his remaining salary. This financial sacrifice was necessary for St. Louis to avoid merely offloading his contract without any compensation. Despite the offensive struggles, Arenado remains valuable for his defensive skills and leadership within the locker room, traits that made the trade more appealing to Arizona. The Diamondbacks acquired him at a modest cost of $11 million over the next two years, giving them a chance to benefit from his defensive presence and veteran experience.
Lance Lynn’s Disapproval of the Trade Terms
Lance Lynn openly condemned the trade during an appearance on the Cardinals Territory podcast, emphasizing his frustration with how little the Cardinals received in exchange. He stated,
“I absolutely f-ing hate it. And here’s why. I hate the amount of money that was given up for one prospect that was drafted in the eighth round last year. It’s a big what-if. Arizona got Nolan Arenado for $11 million over the next two years,”
expressing disbelief that the Cardinals parted with so much cash for such a low-round prospect. Lynn’s comments underscore the tension surrounding the transaction and the perception that St. Louis may have been forced into an unfavorable deal.
Trade Impact and Future Implications for the Cardinals
The Cardinals’ clear urgency to trade Arenado exerted downward pressure on his value, which contributed to the modest return. By swallowing most of the financial commitment, St. Louis managed to gain a potential future asset but at the cost of significant money and a diminished roster piece. The trade reflects the challenging balance teams face when moving aging veterans with declining offensive production but remaining intangible clubhouse worth. Going forward, Cardinals fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how Jack Martinez develops and whether the Cardinals’ gamble pays off amid ongoing roster rebuild efforts.
“I absolutely f-ing hate it.”
Lance Lynn hates the amount of money that was given up for 1 prospect in the Nolan Arenado trade. pic.twitter.com/n4sEgnBHDk
— Cardinal Territory (@CardTerritory) January 15, 2026
