Trade rumors intensified Wednesday when St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado made an unusually early spring training appearance against the New York Yankees, who are dithering on him. However, later, he insisted that the visit wasn’t intended as a showcase for a potential deal.
The eight-time All-Star played seven innings in an exhibition game at Steinbrenner Field, raising eyebrows around baseball given veterans of his caliber rarely play extended innings this early in spring training.
“I didn’t come here for that,” Arenado told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the Yankees’ 7-0 victory. “Day 3 of spring training. That wouldn’t be a good day to showcase myself. I’m not ready for that.”
Arenado, whose name has surfaced in trade discussions amid his decreasing offensive numbers and remaining $74 million contract that extends through 2027, explained he voluntarily made the trip to Tampa. Despite having the opportunity to stay behind, he chose to travel with the team to reconnect with former teammates DJ LeMahieu and Paul Goldschmidt—now both Yankees infielders—as well as visit with an athletic trainer he has a relationship with in the region.
The 34-year-old acknowledged his early spring timing issues at the plate: “I don’t know if you saw, but I got, like, some 95 mile-per-hour fastballs blown by me today,” Arenado said with a smile. “So I’m just trying to focus on getting on time and getting ready for the season.”
Yankees’ third base dilemma
The unexpected appearance comes as the Yankees continue evaluating internal options at third base, where DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Oswald Peraza are competing for the starting role. New York’s situation at the position is widely considered one of the weakest in baseball heading into the 2025 season.
While Arenado’s offensive production has declined in recent years—his OPS dropped from .891 in 2022 to .719 in 2024—his defensive credentials remain elite with 10 career Gold Gloves. This defensive prowess could provide immediate value to a Yankees infield seeking stability.
However, significant hurdles exist for any potential deal, most notably Arenado’s remaining contract obligations. The veteran third baseman is owed approximately $64 million over the next three seasons, a substantial commitment for a Yankees organization already projected to exceed MLB’s final luxury-tax threshold.
“The Yankees and other teams that have approached the Cardinals about Nolan Arenado want to make sure that they lop off some more money,” noted WFAN’s Brandon Tierney. “If he was still a superstar, which he’s not, well then you’d be less concerned with taking on that money.”
Financial complications
Owner Hal Steinbrenner has repeatedly signaled the team’s reluctance to take on additional salary commitments. With a projected $307-308 million payroll for 2025, any Arenado acquisition would likely require creative financial maneuvering, potentially involving offsetting salary moves.
One possibility industry sources have suggested involves trading pitcher Marcus Stroman and his $18 million contract to partially offset Arenado’s financial impact. The Yankees also remain committed to LeMahieu, who has two years and $30 million remaining on his deal, further complicating the roster construction if Arenado were acquired.
Fit and function questions
Beyond financial concerns, baseball analysts question how well Arenado’s offensive profile would translate to Yankee Stadium. Unlike left-handed hitters who benefit from the ballpark’s short right-field dimensions, Arenado is a right-handed pull hitter whose power has been declining.
His .719 OPS last season represented his lowest mark since his rookie year, raising questions about whether his offensive value would justify the financial commitment the Yankees would need to make.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol praised Arenado’s professionalism amid the trade speculation: “He’s handled it incredibly well,” Marmol said of his veteran third baseman.
For his part, Arenado maintains he’s focused solely on preparing for the upcoming season with St. Louis. “I don’t follow much of the speculation,” Arenado said. “I’m just preparing myself for the year.”
Cardinals eager to dump Arenado
With the Cardinals in a rebuilding phase as mentioned in the original report, the team appears to be evaluating options for their veteran players. This context helps explain why Arenado’s name continues to surface in trade discussions.
Arenado’s agent, Joel Wolfe, previously indicated his client wants to play for a team “that he thinks is going to win now and win consistently for the remainder of his career.” While the Yankees certainly fit that competitive profile, no serious movement toward a deal has materialized.
Wait-and-see approach
For now, the Yankees appear content evaluating internal third base options before pursuing external solutions. LeMahieu brings veteran stability but his production has declined, while Cabrera and Peraza show potential but lack proven consistency at the major league level.
Should these options underperform early in the season, pressure could mount for General Manager Brian Cashman to explore trade possibilities more aggressively, with Arenado remaining among the most prominent potential targets.
The Cardinals third baseman acknowledged hearing “chirping” from Yankees fans during his Tampa appearance, but maintains his focus on preparing for the upcoming season rather than trade possibilities.
Until a resolution emerges, Arenado’s surprising early spring appearance at Steinbrenner Field will only intensify speculation about his future—and whether it might eventually include pinstripes despite current financial and roster construction challenges.
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