In January 2021, the Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals made headlines when they completed a trade involving star third baseman Nolan Arenado.
The deal saw Arenado, an eight-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star, join the Cardinals in exchange for a package of players and cash considerations.
While the trade was seen as a major move for the Cardinals, who added a premier player to their roster, it also raised questions about the Rockies’ motivations and whether they received enough in return.
We’ll take a closer look at the trade and answer the question: what did St. Louis give up for Nolan Arenado? We’ll examine each player given up by the Cardinals, the cash considerations involved, and the reaction to the trade from fans and analysts alike.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the trade and its implications for both teams moving forward.
Players Given Up by St. Louis
Lhp Austin Gomber
A 27-year-old left-handed starting pitcher who made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Cardinals
In 2020, he appeared in 12 games (10 starts) and had a 1-1 record with a 1.86 ERA, striking out 31 batters in 29 innings
Gomber has a four-pitch mix, featuring a fastball, changeup, slider, and curveball, and has shown the ability to induce ground balls and limit hard contact
He has also struggled with command at times, walking 4.5 batters per nine innings in his career, and has dealt with injuries
Gomber was drafted by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft and was ranked as the team’s 10th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2019
Inf Mateo Gil
A 20-year-old infielder who was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft
Gil has spent his entire professional career in the minors, playing primarily at shortstop and third base
In 2019, he played for the Cardinals’ Class A affiliate and hit .257 with four home runs and 34 RBIs in 108 games
Gil has shown good defensive skills, with a strong arm and solid range, but has struggled with consistency at the plate and needs to improve his approach and discipline
He was ranked as the Cardinals’ 19th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2020
Inf Elehuris Montero
A 22-year-old infielder who signed with the Cardinals as an international free agent in 2014
Montero has played in the minors since 2016, mostly at third base and first base, and has shown good power potential with 39 home runs in 283 games
Injuries have limited Montero’s playing time in recent years, including a broken hamate bone in 2019 and a shoulder injury in 2020 that required surgery
Montero has also struggled with consistency, striking out at a high rate and needing to improve his plate discipline and approach
He was ranked as the Cardinals’ 10th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2020
Rhp Tony Locey
A 22-year-old right-handed pitching prospect who was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft
Locey was a standout at the University of Georgia, where he had a 3.75 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 161 innings over three seasons
He has a four-pitch mix, featuring a fastball that can touch 98 mph, a slider, curveball, and changeup, and has shown good control and a willingness to attack hitters
Locey has yet to make his professional debut, but has drawn praise for his potential and athleticism
He was ranked as the Cardinals’ 19th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2021
Overall, the players given up by St. Louis in the trade are a mix of established major leaguers and promising prospects.
Gomber is the most experienced of the group and has shown flashes of potential as a starting pitcher, while Gil and Montero are young infielders who have yet to make their MLB debuts and still have room to develop.
Locey is a highly regarded pitching prospect who could have a bright future in the majors. While none of these players are likely to have the same impact as Arenado, they still have value and could contribute to the
Cash Considerations
Here are the details about the cash considerations involved in the Nolan Arenado trade:
Cash considerations:
As part of the trade agreement, the Rockies agreed to pay approximately $51 million of the remaining $199 million on Arenado’s contract, which runs through 2026
This means that the Cardinals will be responsible for paying the remaining $148 million of Arenado’s contract
The cash considerations were a crucial part of the trade, as the Rockies were looking to shed some of the financial burden of Arenado’s contract while still receiving valuable assets in return
Impact on the trade:
The cash considerations helped make the trade more palatable for the Cardinals, as they were able to acquire a star player without taking on the full financial burden of his contract
From the Rockies’ perspective, the cash considerations allowed them to save money while still receiving a package of players that they hoped would help them rebuild
However, the amount of money the Rockies agreed to pay was seen by some as a sign that they were eager to move on from Arenado and that they may not be fully committed to competing in the near future
For the Cardinals, the financial commitment to Arenado could impact their ability to sign other players in the coming years, particularly if they do not see a significant increase in revenue
Overall, the cash considerations were a key factor in the trade and will continue to impact both teams moving forward.
Reaction to the Trade
General reaction:
The trade was widely seen as a major move for the Cardinals, who added a premier player to their lineup and solidified their infield defense
Fans and analysts were generally excited about the potential impact that Arenado could have on the Cardinals, particularly given his impressive track record as a Gold Glove third baseman and a power hitter
However, there were also concerns about the Cardinals’ financial commitment to Arenado, as well as questions about whether he would be able to maintain his production away from the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field
Criticisms and controversies:
One of the main criticisms of the trade was that the Rockies did not receive enough in return for Arenado, particularly given his star power and his status as one of the best players in the league
Some analysts questioned the motivation behind the trade, speculating that the Rockies may have been looking to shed payroll and move on from a disgruntled player rather than focusing on building a winning team
There were also debates about whether the Cardinals overpaid for Arenado, particularly given the concerns about his performance outside of Coors Field and the financial commitments involved
Overall, the trade generated a lot of discussion and analysis, with opinions split about whether it was a good move for both teams or whether one side came out ahead
FAQs
What are the expectations for Nolan Arenado with the Cardinals?
The Cardinals are hoping that Arenado will provide a significant boost to their offense and defense. He has been one of the best third basemen in baseball over the past several years, and his addition to the lineup could help the Cardinals compete for a playoff spot.
However, there are also concerns about whether Arenado will be able to maintain his production away from Coors Field, where he played his home games with the Rockies.
Why did the Rockies trade Nolan Arenado?
There were a number of factors that led to the Rockies’ decision to trade Arenado. One of the biggest factors was his contract, which had a remaining value of over $199 million.
The Rockies were reportedly looking to shed payroll and rebuild, and trading Arenado was seen as a way to accomplish both goals. There were also reports of tension between Arenado and the Rockies’ front office, which may have played a role in the trade.
Did the Rockies receive enough in return for Nolan Arenado?
There is some debate about whetheThe Rockies have been praised for the trade they made with Nolan Arenado as they have received a great deal in return.r the Rockies received enough in return for Arenado.
While the players they acquired have potential, none of them have the star power or proven track record of Arenado. Additionally, the Rockies had to pay a significant amount of money to cover part of Arenado’s remaining contract, which some see as a sign that they did not receive enough in return.
What does the trade mean for the Cardinals’ future?
The trade is a significant commitment for the Cardinals, both financially and in terms of the players they gave up. If Arenado performs well, he could be a cornerstone of the team for years to come.
However, the financial commitment involved could limit the Cardinals’ ability to sign other players in the coming years, and there are concerns about whether Arenado will be able to maintain his production away from Coors Field.
How will the trade impact the NL Central race?
The addition of Arenado to the Cardinals’ lineup makes them a more competitive team in the NL Central. They will be battling with the likes of the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs for a playoff spot, and the outcome of the division race could be impacted by how well Arenado performs with his new team.
Conclusion
The Nolan Arenado trade between the Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals was one of the biggest moves of the 2021 MLB offseason. The Cardinals acquired a premier player and solidified their infield defense, while the Rockies received a package of players and cash considerations in return.
The players given up by the Cardinals included a mix of established major leaguers and promising prospects, while the cash considerations helped make the trade more palatable for both teams.
The reaction to the trade was generally positive, with fans and analysts excited about the potential impact that Arenado could have on the Cardinals.
However, there were also concerns about the Rockies’ motivation for the trade and whether the Cardinals overpaid for Arenado.
Only time will tell how the trade will ultimately impact both teams moving forward, but it is clear that it was a significant move that generated a lot of discussion and analysis within the baseball world.