The Nolan Arenado trade four years on still tilts toward St. Louis. Arenado’s steady production and elite defense yielded 17.9 WAR across five seasons, with multiple All-Star honors and Gold Gloves, while Colorado’s five-player return dissolved entirely as the Rockies released the last piece, Austin Gomber. Now, four years later, the Cardinals look like clear winners, the Rockies have nothing left from the haul, and Arenado remains a cornerstone for STL—an oft-cited example of a franchise-altering move.

USA Today’s Nightengale notes Arenado’s peak value outshines the prospect bounty, especially when compared to Soto’s impact in San Diego. The trade’s legacy reinforces how a single mega-star can redefine a franchise’s competitive window, while the Rockies’ gamble didn’t yield a sustainable rebuild. For fantasy devotees, Arenado’s enduring value in STL remains a dependable, high-floor staple, even as the league evolves.