With less than a month until Opening Day, the New York Yankees have surfaced as a frontrunner in the sweepstakes for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, according to multiple baseball insiders.
The 10-time Gold Glove winner remains a potential trade candidate despite exercising his no-trade clause to block a deal with the Houston Astros in December. As the Cardinals continue seeking financial flexibility, the Yankees’ third base situation makes them a natural fit for the eight-time All-Star’s services.
Cardinals eager to move Arenado’s contract
St. Louis faces mounting pressure to shed the $74 million remaining on Arenado’s contract, which runs through 2027. The Cardinals’ front office has signaled a willingness to absorb a portion of that financial commitment to facilitate a deal that would aid their ongoing roster reconstruction.
ESPN’s Jorge Castillo recently highlighted the likelihood of an Arenado trade in 2025, noting the December agreement with Houston that ultimately fell through due to Arenado’s contractual veto power.
“The Cardinals would surely have to take on some of the money to facilitate a trade. It’s likely to happen sometime in 2025,” Castillo reported. “Maybe it’s with the Yankees, who hired Arenado’s good friend and former Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in December. But the Yankees are working with what they have for now.”
Yankees connection could sway Arenado
The Yankees’ offseason acquisition of Goldschmidt as a special advisor to the front office could prove pivotal in any potential negotiations. Goldschmidt and Arenado formed one of baseball’s most formidable corner infield tandems during their time together in St. Louis, developing a close personal relationship that extended beyond the diamond.
Additionally, Arenado shares a longstanding friendship with Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu dating back to their time as teammates with the Colorado Rockies. These personal connections could influence Arenado’s willingness to waive his no-trade protection for a move to New York.
Industry sources suggest Arenado would consider approving a trade to the Yankees, viewing the organization as a legitimate World Series contender and appreciating the presence of familiar faces within the organization.
Yankees’ third base uncertainty creates opening
The Yankees face significant questions at third base as the 2025 season approaches. LeMahieu continues to battle a persistent calf injury that has limited his spring training participation, while internal alternatives including Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, and recent acquisition Jorbit Vivas present varying degrees of uncertainty.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has maintained his typical measured approach when addressing roster needs publicly, but team sources indicate the front office remains active in exploring external upgrades at the position.
Arenado, despite seeing his offensive production decline in 2024 when he hit just 16 home runs with a .745 OPS, remains an elite defensive presence at the hot corner. His right-handed power potential could also experience a resurgence at Yankee Stadium, where the short porch in right field has historically benefited similar hitters.
Financial framework for potential deal
Any trade for Arenado would require creative financial engineering from both clubs. The Cardinals have indicated a willingness to retain approximately 30-40% of Arenado’s remaining salary obligations to facilitate a deal that would bring back promising young talent.
For the Yankees, who have been mindful of luxury tax implications in recent seasons, this arrangement could make Arenado’s acquisition financially palatable while addressing a clear roster need.
When addressing roster decisions in recent media appearances, Cashman has consistently emphasized the need to balance baseball operations with financial considerations, a principle that would apply to any potential Arenado acquisition.
Timeline for potential trade
While no deal appears imminent, baseball executives familiar with both organizations believe the most likely scenario involves the Yankees evaluating their internal options through April before potentially engaging in serious trade discussions with St. Louis.
This timeline would allow the Cardinals to showcase Arenado’s value early in the season while giving the Yankees an opportunity to assess whether their current third-base options can provide adequate production.
If a trade materializes, it would represent the fourth team change for Arenado, who began his career with Colorado before being traded to St. Louis prior to the 2021 season.
For a Yankees franchise that hasn’t reached the World Series since 2009, acquiring a player of Arenado’s caliber could signal their determination to maximize their championship window with a roster already featuring stars Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Gerrit Cole.
As spring training progresses in Tampa, the Yankees’ third base situation remains one of baseball’s most intriguing storylines with significant implications for both organizations involved in this potential blockbuster deal.
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