Padres' Interest in Arenado Precedes Trade to Diamondbacks

In a surprising turn of events in Major League Baseball, the San Diego Padres were reportedly in active pursuit of star third baseman Nolan Arenado prior to his recent trade from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Arizona Diamondbacks. This revelation was made by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal in a report released on Wednesday, just one day following the announcement of the trade.

The Details of the Trade

The Cardinals finalized a deal that sent Arenado, along with cash, to the Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Jack Martinez. The trade marks a significant move for both franchises, with the Diamondbacks acquiring a proven veteran while the Cardinals look toward the future with a promising prospect. Notably, Arenado waived his no-trade clause to facilitate this deal, indicating his willingness to transition to a new team.

Padres' Pursuit and Salary Considerations

According to Rosenthal, the Padres launched the "heaviest pursuit" of Arenado among any teams outside of the Arizona Diamondbacks. This interest signals the Padres' desire to bolster their roster significantly ahead of the upcoming season. However, the talks hit a snag when the Padres reportedly expressed reluctance to absorb as much of Arenado's salary as the Diamondbacks were willing to commit to.

As per Spotrac, the financial aspects of the deal showed that the Diamondbacks took on just a fraction of the two years remaining on Arenado’s contract, which was valued at $42 million at the time of the trade. The Cardinals' involvement further complicated things, as they agreed to pay the Diamondbacks $31 million as part of the transaction, including $6 million in deferred payments that won't start until 2040. In a nutshell, this effectively reduces Arenado's cost to the Diamondbacks to $5 million in 2026 and $6 million in 2027.

Diving into the Diamondbacks' Needs

With this acquisition, the Arizona Diamondbacks are now set to secure Arenado as their starting third baseman. This addresses a pressing need for the team, particularly since the departure of Eugenio Suárez, who was traded to the Seattle Mariners last July. In the interim, infielder Jordan Lawlar had experimented with the third base position but struggled defensively. His defensive woes led the team to consider shifting him to a designated hitter role and explore options at center field.

Arenado's Impact on the Diamondbacks

Nolan Arenado, known for his exceptional defensive skills, recorded three outs above average while playing third base for the Cardinals in the 2025 season. The Diamondbacks are undoubtedly welcoming the presence of a player of Arenado’s caliber, as they look to enhance their infield defense. His contributions could significantly alter the dynamic of their infield and help solidify their defensive capabilities heading into the 2026 season.

What’s Next for the Padres?

Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres must now reevaluate their strategy regarding potential upgrades to their infield, particularly at first base. Currently, Jake Cronenworth is positioned to start at that role when the 2026 season commences. However, as reported by USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Padres have been actively shopping Cronenworth this offseason, indicating that they may be seeking other avenues to enhance their roster.

Conclusion

The Padres' pursuit of Arenado illustrates their ambition to compete at the highest level while the Diamondbacks' acquisition highlights their focus on bolstering their infield for the future. As the offseason continues to unfold, all eyes will be on how both teams adapt and make critical decisions shaped by these recent developments.