The St. Louis Cardinals entered the offseason making a series of moves that signaled a shift toward rebuilding. This marked a departure from their usual approach of relying on an aging veteran core in an effort to remain competitive year after year.
Among these moves, the Cardinals let Kyle Gibson and Paul Goldschmidt leave in free agency. Additionally, rumors surfaced that the team was actively exploring trade options for third baseman Nolan Arenado. However, moving Arenado could prove challenging, as he holds a no-trade clause and still has over $50 million remaining on his contract.
A strong potential landing spot for Arenado is the New York Yankees. After missing out on Juan Soto in free agency, the Yankees have been aggressive in upgrading their roster this offseason. They have already acquired Goldschmidt to solidify first base, and adding Arenado would allow him to take over at third while Jazz Chisholm Jr. shifts to second base, replacing Gleyber Torres.
Initially, it was unclear whether Arenado would waive his no-trade clause for New York, but current indications suggest he would be open to the move.
This Yankees-Cardinals trade would give New York the perfect Gleyber Torres replacement
The St. Louis Cardinals are unlikely to cover more than $20 million of Nolan Arenado’s remaining contract, but that shouldn’t be an issue for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. In what would essentially be a salary dump, New York could acquire Arenado by sending a mid-tier prospect to St. Louis, benefiting both sides.
Proposed Trade:
New York Yankees Receive:
- 3B Nolan Arenado
- $15 million
St. Louis Cardinals Receive:
- INF Jorbit Vivas
This hypothetical deal closely resembles the Yankees’ previous trade for Cody Bellinger. In this scenario, New York takes on Arenado’s contract while St. Louis includes $15 million to offset part of the financial burden.
Vivas, who could step in as a potential replacement for Gleyber Torres, lacks Arenado’s proven track record both offensively and defensively. While acquiring Arenado isn’t a necessity for the Yankees, he would represent a significant upgrade at third base.
For the Cardinals, the primary motivation is shedding a hefty contract. Moving Arenado in this manner provides financial relief while bringing in an infield prospect as part of the return.
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