However, until the Cardinals take a sizable chunk of Arenado’s payroll, it doesn’t appear probable that the Yankees will trade for him, according to Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic.
“After Paul Goldschmidt, Arenado’s close friend and teammate in St. Louis for the past four seasons, inked a one-year, $12.5 million contract with New York in mid-December, there has been a lot of speculation about the Yankees in particular,” the story stated. Nevertheless, a number of league insiders claim that even while the Yankees adore Arenado, they are not willing to assume the majority of his deal, which is something that the Cardinals would most likely need to do.
Additionally, New York can shift Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base and hope that a healthy DJ LeMahieu can man the hot corner reliably the next season without having to make a trade for a third baseman. The Cardinals will still make an effort to move Arenado, but they won’t be willing to pay him more because the goal of the trade is to get rid of his contract, the article continued.
Arenado’s eight-year, $260 million contract is about to reach its sixth year. In 2024, the third baseman hit.272 with 71 RBIs and 16 home runs. He has also been named an MLB All-Star eight times.
DJ LeMahieu Could Be the Yankees’ Third Option
The Yankees might start LeMahieu at third base if New York doesn’t make the anticipated trade for Arenado.
Despite his 2024 injury struggles, insider Jon Heyman claims that LeMahieu is the clear favourite to start at third base.
“Alex Bregman is adored by Yankees fans, but some wonder if Yankee Stadium is the perfect place for him. Maybe they’re hoping DJ LeMahieu gets well so he can play third base,” Heyman wrote in his piece.
LeMahieu’s six-year, $90 million contract is about to enter its fifth year. He hit.204 with two home runs and 26 RBIs in 67 games in 2024. He has a career high of 102 RBIs and 26 home homers.
LeMahieu has been named an All-Star three times.
The Cardinals are willing to keep Arenado.
The organization is willing to maintain Arenado as their starting third baseman if they are unable to move him.
According to John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations for the Cardinals, Arenado is still being discussed with the team, but they are open to keeping him in 2025.
During the Winter Meetings, Mozeliak stated, “We both remain optimistic that both parties will remain happy somehow.” It’s possible that Arenado may stay with the Cardinals, but I’m not sure whether it will get us where we want to go. There are undoubtedly other methods to attempt to move our payroll financially, but [moving Arenado] would be very beneficial. In addition to being profitable, it gives someone else a path.
Earlier in the offseason, Arenado thwarted a deal to the Houston Astros. According to reports, St. Louis agreed to provide the Astros $15–20 million as part of the agreement to assist cover Arenado’s salary.
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