photo: Jack Martinez (Arizona State University Athletics)
The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Jack Martinez from the Arizona Diamondbacks for third baseman Nolan Arenado and cash considerations.
St. Louis Cardinals release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Tuesday, January 13) that they have completed a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, acquiring minor league right-handed pitcher Jack Martinez in exchange for third baseman Nolan Arenado and cash considerations.
“We are grateful for Nolan’s five years as a Cardinal, on and off the field — for his drive, his competitiveness, and for all of the memories he gave us,” stated Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom. “We wish Nolan and his family the very best as he continues with the next chapter of his great career.”
“As we continue to move forward, we are pleased to add another intriguing pitching prospect to our organization, and excited for the opportunity this move creates for a number of our players to step up and further establish themselves at the big league level.”
Martinez, 22, was the Diamondbacks 8th round selection in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Arizona State University.
The 6-4, 215-pound Martinez (pronounced Martin-ez), who also pitched collegiately at Trinity University (Texas) and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, was 6-4 with a 5.94 ERA in 15 starts for the Sun Devils in 2025, striking out 110 batters over 77.1 innings pitched.
Martinez, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, was a combined 20-8 with a 4.76 ERA in 75 career games (28 starts) as a collegian. He will be making his professional debut in 2026 with the Cardinals.
Just your casual five strikeouts through six batters.
Jack Martinez rolling early.
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/GrzjGafF8w
— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) March 9, 2025
Arenado, 34, spent five seasons with St. Louis from 2021-25, appearing in three All-Star games. He finished third in the National League Most Valuable Player voting in 2022, helping the Cardinals to an N.L. Central Division title.
Thank you, Nolan, for countless unbelievable plays and your leadership on and off the field. Best of luck in Arizona! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/H6w4kkSitv
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) January 13, 2026
Brian Walton’s take
The long saga to resolve Arenado’s future is finally over, more than a year after it began. For the trade to be completed, the veteran had to waive his no-trade protection.
The Cardinals are paying $31 million of Arenado’s remaining $42 million contract commitment for 2026 and 2027 plus deferrals, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Arenado’s desire to play on a winner may not be satisfied via this trade. He joins a team that won just two more games than the Cardinals in 2025 as both clubs finished in fourth place in their respective divisions. The Diamondbacks made the playoffs just once in the last eight years and won their division last in 2011.
It will be interesting beginning in training camp to see if the Cardinals start Nolan Gorman at the hot corner or insert rookie JJ Wetherholt there.
Martinez, who did not pitch after signing in 2025, is initially assigned to the Florida Complex League Cardinals roster, but will likely begin his professional career at Low-A Palm Beach in April. He will join a plethora of starting pitching candidates.
The 40-man roster spot cleared by Arenado will likely be filled by pitching signee Ryne Stanek when that deal is announced by the team.
Update
Late Tuesday afternoon, the Cardinals made the Stanek signing official.
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