Thomas Saggese

Maybe the D-backs really don't think Jordan Lawlar can play. It won't require much talent to bring in Arenado; it's mostly just a matter of how much of the contract they'd have to absorb. If something gets done, then there's a good chance Lawlar will return to Triple-A. The Cardinals would be clearing room for top prospect J.J. Wetherholt, but they'd probably start off the season with Nolan Gorman or Thomas Saggese at third base.

The flaw of arbitration is that you can be a pretty terrible player otherwise, but if you hit homers, you'll get paid. Gorman, who was eligible for arbitration, was decent enough in 2023, but he's hit .204/.284/.385 with a 36% strikeout rate and bad defense in 218 games the last two years. He'll probably get another long look this season, assuming that the Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado and/or Brendan Donovan, but Jose Fermin and Thomas Saggese both project as better players at this point and top prospect JJ Wetherholt could crash the party soon.