MLB Rumors Reveal Padres' Nolan Arenado Trade Talks Before D-Backs, Cardinals Deal

The San Diego Padres were reportedly pursuing Nolan Arenado prior to his trade from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Arizona Diamondbacks, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday.

The news comes the day after the Cardinals sent Arenado and cash to the Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Jack Martinez. Arenado waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal.

According to Rosenthal, the Padres launched the "heaviest pursuit" of Arenado by any team outside of Arizona.

Had the Padres acquired Arenado, they planned to move the career third baseman to first base in order to keep Manny Machado at the hot corner, according to Rosenthal.

"The holdup, according to those briefed on the talks, was that the Padres were unwilling to take on as much of Arenado's salary as the D-Backs," Rosenthal wrote.

That Diamondbacks are already took on just a fraction of the two years and $42 million remaining on Arenado's contract at the time of the trade, per Spotrac.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported Tuesday the Cardinals would be paying the Diamondbacks $31 million as part of the Arenado deal, including $6 million in deferred salary that won't be paid out until 2040.

That offset money, in addition to salary already retained by the Colorado Rockies, means that Arenado will cost the Diamondbacks $5 million in 2026 and $6 million in 2027, according to Spotrac.

Arenado is now set to remain at third base in Arizona, where the Diamondbacks have had a need since trading Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners last July.

Jordan Lawlar got some looks at the position after the Suárez trade last season, but struggled defensively and was eventually shifted to DH. MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reported in October the Diamondbacks might try him out at center field this winter.

The D-backs will meanwhile hope to get improved infield defense with the addition of Arenado, who recorded three outs above average while playing third base for the Cardinals in 2025.

The Padres may meanwhile need to look elsewhere if the club is seeking a new answer at first base.

Jake Cronenworth is currently slated to start the 2026 season at the position, but USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported in December the Padres have "actively shopped" the infielder this offseason.