The New York Yankees went into the season planning to deploy DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera at third base. However, LeMahieu suffered a spring training injury, and Cabrera is clearly better suited in a bench or utility role.
If the Yankees want to make it back to the World Series, they will need more production from their third baseman. ESPN’s David Schoenfield named the Yankees, among other teams, as a landing spot for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.
“Alec Bohm is struggling with the (Philadelphia) Phillies, the (Chicago) Cubs demoted Matt Shaw, the (Toronto) Blue Jays aren’t getting any production at third, the Yankees have only one home run from their third basemen … it’s a long list,” wrote Schoenfield. “If the Cardinals pay down some of the contract, they could probably find Arenado a new home.”
Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million deal with the Colorado Rockies in 2019, before he was traded to the Cardinals. However, he was open to waiving his no-trade clause during the offseason.
The Dodgers are reportedly his preferred destination, but if they are not interested, he could be willing to waive his no-trade clause to join the Yankees. The Cardinals are 9-14 and could start slashing their payroll near the trade deadline.
The team seems to be heading for a rebuild, and moving on from Arenado could land a haul of young players while also decreasing its payroll significantly.
Arenado is slashing .288/.395/.452 this year. He has two home runs and 10 RBIs. The eight-time All-Star could be a huge addition for the Yankees as they try to win the American League for the second-straight season.
