.jpg)
4 hours ago
2
The New York Yankees are off to a strong start this season, but clearly have a need at third base. The team has World Series aspirations and may not be able to meet them with DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera in the hot corner.
LeMahieu is still hurt, and Cabrera is more suited as a utility player. Cabrera is having a strong first month, but he did the same last season before regressing. Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly predicted the Yankees would solve their third base problems by trading for Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals.
"Arenado does have a pair of seasons remaining on the eight-year, $260 million deal that he signed with the Colorado Rockies," wrote Kelly. "But while he'll count $25.55 million against the luxury-tax threshold in 2026 and 2027, his deal is backloaded. Arenado will make a more modest $31 million for his age-35 and -36 seasons. It seems like all great Rockies eventually end up spending time with the Yankees, and Arenado would give New York an upgrade over the .705 OPS that Oswaldo Cabrera has produced. This deal would also reunite him with Paul Goldschmidt, as the Yankees try to make a deep playoff run for the second time in as many seasons."
Arenado is a premium defender at third base and would be a much-needed upgrade at third base. He is a 10-time Gold Glover, six-time Platinum Glover, eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger. This season, he has a .747 OPS and three home runs.
"This may not be the peak version of Arenado, but he can provide pop and remains a tremendous fielder, with three defensive runs saved already in 2025," wrote Kelly.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
The Cardinals are headed for a rebuild. Arenado will be one of the hottest names near the trade deadline. There may not be many teams he will be willing to trade his no-trade clause for, but if he sees a chance to win a World Series in New York, he may allow the trade to happen.
More MLB: Yankees could make drastic Ben Rice decision when Giancarlo Stanton returns
English (US)