Cardinals to acquire Colorado’s Arenado
The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to acquire All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies in a trade needing approvals before it can be finalized, a person familiar with the swap tells the Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday night because the trade had not yet been finalized.
Arenado, an eight-time Gold Glove winner, signed a $260 million, eight-year deal with Colorado in February 2019 and is owed $199 million for the six remaining seasons.
Colorado would pay St. Louis a large amount of cash as part of the trade, the person said, and Major League Baseball must approve a cash transaction of more than $1 million.
Arenado’s contract has a no-trade provision that requires his approval for any assignment.
The 29-year-old Arenado has hit .293 with an .890 OPS over eight seasons, averaging 35 home runs and 114 RBIs per 162 games. He’s led the National League in home runs three times and led the majors in RBIs twice.
Arenado will bump Matt Carpenter out of his role as the starting third baseman and play in an infield with All-Stars Paul DeJong at shortstop and Paul Goldschmidt at first base.
In other baseball news:
• The Diamondbacks claimed former Astros reliever Humberto Castellanos off waivers.
Castellanos designated for assignment last week to make room for Jason Castro on the Astros’
40-man roster. The 22year-old righthander made his major league debut during the 2020 season, throwing 102⁄3 innings across eight games.
Castellanos is the third Astro to be claimed off waivers this offseason. In December, the Diamondbacks claimed righthander Rogelio Armenteros and the Braves got utilityman Jack Mayfield. Armenteros went on waivers again, where he was claimed by the Nationals.
• Former Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Joc Pederson has agreed to a free-agent contract with the Chicago Cubs, according to The Athletic.
Pederson, an All-Star in 2015, figures to platoon in left field, taking over for Kyle Schwarber, who was non-tendered and signed with the Nationals.
• Pitcher Adam Wainwright is returning to the St. Louis Cardinals for a 17th season.
The 39-year-old righthander and the Cardinals finalized an $8 million, one-year contract, a deal agreed to earlier this week.
• Two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto and the Phillies finalized their $115.5 million, five-year contract.