The Yankees are Off the Table
For nearly a year now, St. Louis Cardinals fans have waited to see how much longer Nolan Arenado would wear the birds on the bat. And unless something truly unexpected happens, that wait could stretch into the offseason. Whether he is traded before the end of July remains to be seen, but what is certain, any trade involving Arenado will not involve the Yankees.
While a trade involving Arenado ahead of this year’s deadline was always a bit of a long shot, there was one team in particular that had been circled as a potential landing spot: the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers had shown interest dating back to the winter, and with a clear need at third base, it wasn’t hard to imagine them revisiting talks. That possibility, however, is now officially off the table.
The Yankees addressed their infield need by swinging a deal for Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, closing the door on any late-deadline push for Arenado. McMahon will slot in as New York’s everyday third baseman while Jazz Chisholm Jr. sticks at second base. It’s a solid move for the Yankees—and a potentially frustrating one for the Cardinals.
The Detroit Tigers are still in the mix for Arenado
Nolan Arenado would have approved a Yankees trade
Back in the offseason, New York held conversations with St. Louis about a possible Arenado deal. The veteran third baseman reportedly had the Yankees, Dodgers, and Red Sox on his list of preferred destinations. However, no deal materialized. Arenado also declined a trade to the Astros, and the Red Sox eventually signed Alex Bregman, taking them out of the equation.
Now, Arenado remains in St. Louis, but his on-field performance continues to trend in the wrong direction. He’s slashing .241/.299/.378 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI, and his OPS+ now sits 11% below league average. While his glove is still solid, it’s no longer enough to offset the dip in offensive production—especially given the size of his contract.
It’s worth noting that Arenado holds full no-trade protection and must approve any deal. That complicates things even further for the Cardinals, who are already in a tough spot. If they’re going to move him, they’ll likely need to eat a sizable chunk of his contract. But it’s not just about money. Parting ways with Arenado would also free up opportunities for younger players—something the organization has struggled to do with him in the everyday lineup.
Whether Arenado is traded at the deadline or in the offseason, a potential Arenado trade remains on the table. But for those hoping for an imminent exit, this latest development with the Yankees likely feels like a setback.
