The Yankees reportedly see Nolan Arenado as a poor fit for their future roster plans, focusing instead on other players.
New York: So, it looks like the Yankees aren’t interested in trading for Nolan Arenado after all. The St. Louis Cardinals are shopping him around, but the Yankees think he’s not a good match for their team.
According to Jack Curry from the YES Network, the Yankees feel Arenado doesn’t fit into their plans for 2025. They’re worried about his big contract and his not-so-great performance last season. Instead, they’re eyeing other players, especially free-agent first baseman Christian Walker.
Arenado, who’s turning 34 soon, had a rough year. He only hit 16 home runs, which is the lowest he’s had since his rookie year. His overall stats weren’t great either, with a .719 OPS and just 71 RBIs. That’s a big drop from what we usually expect from him.
There’s also the money issue. Arenado is owed $74 million over the next three years, and while he wants to join a winning team, his hefty contract makes things tricky. Plus, he has a no-trade clause, which gives him a lot of control over where he goes.
Interestingly, Arenado’s agent mentioned that he’s open to changing positions to help with a trade. The Yankees need help at both first and third base, but Arenado has been a top-notch third baseman for a decade, winning multiple Gold Glove awards.
Right now, the Yankees seem unsure if Arenado can bounce back to his old self, hitting 30 homers and driving in 100 runs like he used to. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are in a rebuilding phase, which doesn’t help their bargaining power.