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2026 Fantasy Baseball Player Profile

Nolan Arenado’s 2025 season was a challenging campaign marked by noticeable decline and nagging injuries. Playing in his age-34 season for the St. Louis Cardinals, the veteran third baseman appeared in just 107 games, his lowest total in a full season since his rookie year. His production dipped to career lows across the board, as he slashed .237/.289/.377 with only 12 home runs and 52 RBI. His 84 wRC+ indicated he was 16% below the league-average hitter, a stark contrast to his prime years. While his defense remained reliable, his overall value plummeted to just 0.9 WAR, signaling that age may finally be catching up to the former superstar.

In a major offseason shakeup, the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Arenado and cash considerations from the Cardinals on January 13, 2026. The move to Arizona places him in a younger, more dynamic lineup, offering a potential change of scenery that could help revitalize his bat, though he will no longer be the focal point of the offense. Entering 2026, Arenado is viewed as a bounce-back candidate, though fantasy managers should temper their expectations. Projections forecast a modest rebound to a .254 average with roughly 17 home runs and 74 RBI, numbers that are serviceable but far from elite. He is currently projected to bat sixth in the Diamondbacks' lineup, a drop from his traditional clean-up role that reflects his diminished power output. At this stage of his career, Arenado is best viewed as a low-end starter or depth piece at third base in deeper leagues, offering veteran stability rather than the high-end production he once provided.