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The MLB Hot Stove has come alive in recent days. After Alex Bregman and the Cubs broke the league’s major free agent standstill<\/a> that had been in place since seemingly the Winter Meetings, the trade market saw a similar spark on Tuesday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After a report from Katie Woo of The Athletic <\/em>that the Arizona Diamondbacks were nearing a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals<\/a> for Nolan Arenado, ESPN’<\/em>s Jeff Passan confirmed the deal moments later<\/a> and the return and inner workings of the deal were nothing short of shocking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As per an official team announcement<\/a> from the Kansas City Royals’ in-state rivals in St. Louis, the Cardinals will receive pitching prospect and 2025 eighth-round pick Jack Martinez in exchange for Nolan Arenado and cash considerations, which was later revealed would be $31 million to help minimize Arizona’s financial commitment to Arenado<\/a> and the $42 million remaining in his contract, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We have completed the following trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks: pic.twitter.com\/rxvtxmiyaF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) January 13, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n What does this have to do with the Royals, other than the fact it involved their I-70 rivals? Nothing directly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, what it did help further demonstrate was the clear-cut advantage and frankly polar-opposite situation that the Royals have over St. Louis when it comes to their third base situation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The fact the Cardinals traded Arenado is not a shocking in the slightest considering they’ve been trying to shop him for multiple offseasons now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What also isn’t shocking is the fact they had to get creative and maybe accept some undesired conditions in order to cut ties with his poorly-aging contract.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, the fact that all they have to show for their former MVP is a 2025 middle-round draftee who, no disrespect to Martinez, has yet make a professional appearance since being selected.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And while the Cardinals are literally paying big money for their former All-Star third baseman to play against them, the Royals are doing the polar opposite at the hot corner with Maikel Garcia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fresh off a career year where a 121 wRC+ showing at the plate and Gold Glove defense resulting in a 5.6 fWAR and late ballot AL MVP votes<\/a>, the Royals rewarded him with a five-year, $57.5 million extension this winter<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now, the Cardinals probably feel they’re on their way to an exciting new era of baseball led with a youthful infield core led by Masyn Winn and top prospect JJ Wetherholt. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n That being said, for the time being it’s clear as day to see that their Missouri rivals in Kansas City are in a much better spot at third base in 2026.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n
Royals third base situation looks night-and-day compared to rival Cardinals after Nolan Arenado trade<\/h2>\n