The most frustrating part of the San Diego Padres’ failed Nolan Arenado pursuit isn’t that it happened. It’s why it happened.
According to Ken Rosenthal, San Diego was essentially the runner-up to Arizona in the Arenado sweepstakes, with the plan being simple: keep Manny Machado locked in at third base, slide Arenado to first, and let the roster breathe again. The snag? The Padres didn’t want to take on as much of Arenado’s salary as the Diamondbacks did.
However, it’s not like Arizona dove off the deep end. In the deal that got it done, the Cardinals agreed to cover $31 million of the $42 million remaining over the next two years, with St.