Nolan Arenado is having a resurgent season with the St. Louis Cardinals. The New York Yankees have received very little offensively from third base this year.
However, Arenado to the Yankees still appears unlikely for some reason.
Arenado Is Not Saving the Day in the Bronx, Details MLB Insider
Arenado is comfortable in St. Louis and is not in a rush to waive his no-trade clause. You can often hear him extol the city’s virtues along with the Cardinals organization. However, with the team immersed in a youth movement, trading Arenado away still makes sense.
The Yankees are a logical fit for Arenado due to positional need and their deep pockets. The star began the season with three years and $52 million remaining on his contract.
As the season progresses, rumors connecting Arenado to the Yankees will continue. However, New York Post columnist Joel Sherman recently cleared up the rumors, throwing cold water on any attempt to bring the ten-time Gold Glove third baseman to New York.
“I’ve never thought it was real when people were writing about it this offseason,” Sherman said on MLB Network. “If it was a one-year contract off of a guy whose trendline wasn’t very good the last few years, they’d be in. There are two more years on his contract. ”
"I can't see them trying to solve third base when their general lineup is not the problem."
MLB Now weighs in on Nolan Arenado's potential fit with the Yankees. pic.twitter.com/BZjzTM0Ct3
— MLB Now (@MLBNow)
“If he were a free agent, I don’t think he’d get as much money as he’s owed. The name is better than the game right now. Hal Steinbrenner was very, very stern about how much money they spent this offseason. At a time, he knows between now and July 31st, they’ll be lucky that they only have to add one starting pitcher. They’ll probably have to add two.”
Sherman hits the nail on the metaphorical head. The Yankees can slug their way against any team, even without Arenado. While third base is a sore spot, they are willing to ignore it and focus on more pressing areas.
Specifically, it seems that the Yankees will look to strengthen their starting rotation ahead of the postseason. As good of a third base arm that Arenado has, he’s not giving them six innings on the mound.
Arm Issues
So far, Max Fried looks like a wise investment. At 6-0, and a sparkling 1.01 earned run average, Fried looks comfortable, getting outs at a phenomenal rate and little to no damage done. Fried gives the offense the ability not to press and to just push forward.
In contrast, Carlos Carrasco, Carlos Rodon, Will Warren, Clark Schmist, and Marcus Stroman cannot stop a nosebleed. That group has surrendered a combined 22 home runs, and playing in a hitter-friendly park does them no favors.
The Yankees can get creative when managing the pitching staff through July. After that, the holes will get much more apparent. So, Arenado to the Bronx seems like a pipe dream.