The St. Louis Cardinals recently traded third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks. This move coincided with the resignation of longtime Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Arenado took to social media to pay tribute to Tomlin, posting a one-word caption, “Legend,” on an NFL announcement of Tomlin’s departure.
Tomlin’s resignation follows the Steelers’ 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the NFL Wild Card round. The Steelers have not secured a playoff win since defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016. During his tenure, which began in 2007, Tomlin led the team to 13 playoff appearances and eight AFC North division titles, including a Super Bowl XLIII win in 2008.
Arenado’s trade to the Diamondbacks has sparked discussion about the move’s merits, given his dwindling offensive production over the past two seasons. However, his defensive skills remain solid. St. Louis Cardinals legend Matt Holliday shared his thoughts on the trade, stating that the Diamondbacks “got a steal” and predicting that Arenado’s power will increase in his new environment.
Holliday cited Arenado’s familiarity with the NL West and the Diamondbacks’ ballpark as factors that will contribute to his success. The trade involves the Diamondbacks paying $11 million to Arenado over the next two seasons, with the Cardinals covering $22 million this season and $9 million next season.
The Cardinals had previously attempted to trade Arenado to the Houston Astros, but he exercised his no-trade clause. The team’s decision to trade him now may have significant implications for their future lineup. As the baseball season progresses, the impact of this trade will become clearer, and fans will be watching to see how Arenado performs with his new team.
In the NFL, Tomlin’s resignation marks the end of an era for the Steelers. His legacy as a successful coach is cemented, with a record of 201 wins, 126 losses, and 2 ties. The team will now look to the future, seeking a new coach to lead them to victory. The intersection of these two sports stories highlights the ever-changing landscape of professional athletics, where trades, resignations, and new beginnings are a constant presence.
