
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. And it’s not as if the D-Backs took on a whole lot – the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to pay $31 million of Arenado’s remaining $42 million over the next two years while receiving minor-league right-hander Jack Martinez in return.
The Padres’ payroll concerns are well-documented. Perhaps they only wanted Arenado if they could get him for something close to the minimum salary, enabling them to remain flexible for other pursuits. Arenado, after all, would have been changing positions. And numerous first basemen are still available in free agency.
17 comments
[Mets’ pursuit of Tucker raises questions about defense, plus more MLB offseason notes](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6968660/2026/01/14/kyle-tucker-mets-red-sox-diamondbacks-arenado/)
Arenado tidbit mentioned within this article.
I wouldn’t have hated it 🤷♂️
I wouldn’t have loved it. Not for more than $5 million AAV.
Honestly not surprising. Figured Preller would’ve been interested in Arenado if Cards paid him down to 2-3M AAV.
Buy-low candidate that at worst would’ve provided plus defense at 1B and spell Manny at 3B. And his bat could’ve bounced back a little bit playing for a contender again.
Rather add a bat with more power though.
Woof, unless STL had paid it down to 1M or less AAV and it’s basically a free swing at something
Bullet dodged.
I am not doubting Arenado’s ability, but as far as I can tell he has never played 1B in the Majors. On top of that.. look at his offense numbers and then look at Jake or Sheets and you realize he isn’t an upgrade offensively and only would be a RH platoon fit.
If the trade went through:
Machado – “try getting my 3b Gold Glove now, Nolan”
Ew why. His offensive numbers have declined massively. And it’s not like good defense at first is a major plus.
Obligatory Fuck Ken Rosenthal. Can’t believe a word out of the bowtie clown with short-man syndrome
Nah I dont believe that clown
Not a bad one.
Machado’s a great ball player. And his track record could net us some pieces back to fill other holes and shedding payroll. Let Tatis and Merrill bring new energy to the club amidst all the shenanigans that’s going on in the organization
yeah let’s take on a declining bat with fantastic 3B defense and make him play 1B
what are we doing
Little manboi Rosenthal.
Just what we need, another expensive infielder on the wrong side of 30.
Let’s all just agree we fucked ourselves by not getting Freddie Freeman when we had the chance