The New York Yankees discussed a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this offseason, intending to transfer Marcus Stroman and his $18.5 million contract in exchange for star third baseman Nolan Arenado, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
“The Yankees approached the Cardinals earlier this offseason about a deal for Arenado, sources said, but they were rebuffed because St. Louis had no interest in taking on the contract of veteran right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman.”
The agreement, which would have met the needs of both parties, was ultimately not completed.
The Details of the Trade Proposal
Nolan Arenado has three years remaining on his contract, with a $25.5 million luxury tax salary per season. Arenado, known for his outstanding defense and dependable offense, is a solid third baseman.
Meanwhile, Marcus Stroman has only one year remaining on his contract, but it includes a trigger for a 2026 player option if he pitches more than 140 innings in 2025. The Yankees’ willingness to trade Stroman indicates their desire to upgrade their infield with a proven veteran like Arenado.
Arenado’s Continued Impact
Despite some deterioration in 2024, Arenado is still a productive player. Last season, he hit.272/.325/.394, with 16 home runs, 71 RBIs, and a wRC+ of 102. His defensive ability is a defining feature of his game, as he collected 6 defensive runs saved and 9 outs above average in 1,268.1 innings at third base.
For the Yankees, Arenado’s presence at the hot corner would have allowed Jazz Chisholm to return to his natural position at second base, thereby boosting the overall infield defense.
Stroman’s Role in the Proposal
Stroman, who joined the Yankees this offseason, had an inconsistent 2024 season. He threw 154.2 innings with a 4.31 ERA, 6.58 strikeouts per nine, and 49.2% ground ball rate. While his sinker remains efficient, his falling strikeout rate and issues with making weak contact have raised concerns. The potential trigger of a 2026 player option made Stroman’s contract less appealing to the Yankees, prompting them to consider a trade.
Why the Trade Made Sense for Both Sides
Taking on Stroman’s short-term contract could have given the Cardinals more depth in a rotation that needed reinforcements. His ability to consume innings and induce ground balls would have worked brilliantly. This would have resulted in a compensation swap, with the Yankees taking on three years of Arenado’s contract in exchange for one year of Stroman’s.
Yankees’ Next Steps
Though this particular trade did not materialize, a deal might still be in the works, as GM Brian Cashman is constantly scouting the market for upgrades.
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