ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Cardinals have completed a six-player trade with the Colorado Rockies to acquire five-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado and cash considerations in exchange for left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber, infielder Elehuris Montero, right-handed pitcher Tony Locey, infielder Mateo Gil and right-handed pitcher Jake Sommers.
Arenado will retain player options for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and he has agreed to a one-year contract extension for 2027 that would extend his contract to seven years in length.
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“Many have heard me say that one of the great things about baseball is that you always have a chance to get better,” stated Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “Today we got better! A deal of this nature, acquiring a player of Nolan’s considerable talents, are the ones that can set you apart in many ways. It certainly shows the commitment of Mr. DeWitt and ownership to continue to give our great fans a team that aims to win - both now and in the future.”
Arenado, 29, regarded as the premier third baseman in Major League Baseball, has won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for eight consecutive seasons (2013-20) to begin his professional career and has been awarded the National League Platinum Glove Award, presented by Rawlings, in each of the last four seasons (2017-20) – honoring him as the league’s best overall defender.
In Arenado, the Cardinals have acquired a perennial MVP candidate. And it was no easy task.
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Not only did the five-time All-Star have to agree to waive his no-trade clause, he also reportedly is deferring some of the $199 million remaining on the contract he signed with Colorado. The Cardinals are also receiving $50 million from the Rockies.
Since 2015, Arenado has been arguably the best hitter in baseball. In those six seasons, he's led all of Major League Baseball in RBI, extra-base hits and total bases, he's second in home runs and third in WAR.
Though Arenado's shortened 2020 campaign was arguably the worst season he's posted, the three years prior saw averages of 39 home runs, 119 RBI and a slash line of .307/.375/.577 with Gold Glove defense.
Now, in the span of a week, the Cardinals have signed Adam Wainwright, have a deal in place with Yadier Molina and have acquired the best third baseman in baseball.
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Arenado is tied with former Cardinal Scott Rolen for the third-most Gold Glove Awards by a third baseman in MLB history, trailing only Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson (16) and Mike Schmidt (10), and joins Schmidt and Robinson as the only third basemen to win at least eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards. The superstar third baseman’s four Platinum Glove Awards ties catcher Yadier Molina (2011-12, 2014-15) for the most since the award’s inception in 2011.
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