Notwithstanding recent conjecture connecting the New York Yankees to St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, a Yankees insider indicates that a transaction is improbable. As spring training nears, the Yankees continue their quest for an enhancement at third base, yet Arenado might not be part of their strategy. According to MLB.com’s John Denton, the Cardinals have renewed trade discussions with the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers regarding Arenado. Nevertheless, several obstacles remain, such as his contract, no-trade clause, and a recent dip in production.
“Never got the impression Yankees were pursuing Nolan Arenado this winter. Would be astonished if that altered,” MLB insider Andy Martino shared on X, previously Twitter, effectively dampening the chances of a blockbuster transaction.
Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove recipient and eight-time All-Star, is preparing to enter his age-34 season, with three years and $64 million left on his contract. While the Cardinals are amenable to moving him, they may have to absorb a considerable portion of his salary to facilitate a trade. According to Denton, prior trade negotiations faltered when St. Louis declined to cover $20 million of Arenado’s remaining contract.
The Yankees may miss the opportunity to acquire Nolan Arenado
Setting aside financial factors, Arenado possesses complete no-trade protection, indicating he would need to agree to any prospective transaction. He already exercised that right in December to block a trade to the Houston Astros, adding another layer of complexity for any team aiming to secure him.
While the Yankees could gain from his defensive skill at third base, worries about his declining offensive output render a trade less attractive. His OPS has fallen from .891 in 2022 to .719 in 2024, and for the first time in his career, he has not secured a Gold Glove in back-to-back seasons.
Nevertheless, some believe Arenado could bring a consistent presence to New York’s infield and reunite with former St. Louis teammate Paul Goldschmidt, whom the Yankees signed earlier in the offseason. Additionally, acquiring him would thwart a division rival like the Red Sox from acquiring him.
Boston has reportedly expressed greater interest in signing free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, given his connection to manager Alex Cora. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, who already feature a star-laden lineup, may not have an urgent need for Arenado, making the Yankees one of the few plausible destinations if a deal were to materialize.
Ultimately, New York has the financial latitude to assume Arenado’s contract, particularly after losing Juan Soto and Gleyber Torres in free agency. However, considering Martino’s findings and the intricacies surrounding a trade, the Yankees seem unlikely to actively pursue the veteran third baseman.
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