- 00:55 ET, FEB 27 2025
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Despite an offseason of rumors, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado insisted Wednesday’s early Spring Training matchup against the New York Yankees was not a chance to “showcase” himself after all.
The 33-year-old curiously played seven innings against New York, striking out twice as part of an 0-3 afternoon. Players of his age and stature don’t take the three-mile drive he did to play in a February MLB Spring Training contest, let alone hang around for seven innings.
Arenado, who owns a no-trade clause and has $74 million left on his contract over the next three years, would be a logical solution for the Yankees’ current question mark at third base (and comes at a price only they can afford). The team currently plans to roll out a hodgepodge of DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Oswald Peraza.
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Additionally, New York will likely be without 2024 playoff hero Giancarlo Stanton on opening day as the 35-year-old designated hitter battles an elbow injury.
Another story out of Yankees training camp features veteran pitcher Marcus Stroman; he’s currently penciled into the team’s bullpen despite his onerous $18.5 million salary (and $18 million vesting option for next year).
Former MLB general manager Jim Duquette posed an audacious trade that could solve a myriad of issues. “[Arenado has] already said he’s willing to go to the Yankees, Duqette said during a recent hit on SNY.
Stanton launched seven home runs in 14 playoff games last year (
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Getty Images)
“You could do a swap between Arenado and Stroman….From the Yankees’ side of things, they need a third baseman more than they need the sixth starter in Stroman. Plus, we know Stroman won’t be happy in that position….I think this is one to keep an eye on later in the spring.”
Arenado, an eight-time All-Star, and 10-time Gold Glove winner rejected a trade earlier this offseason to the Houston Astros. He was coy when asked about further trade rumors on Wednesday.
“I didn’t come here for that,” Arenado told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Day 3 of spring training. That wouldn’t be a good day to showcase myself. I’m not ready for that.”
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The team reportedly gave him the option to skip the game, but he wanted to see his friends LeMahieu and fellow Yankees infielder Paul Goldschmidt.
Stroman, coming off a poor end to the 2024 campaign, would likely pencil into the back of Steven Matz at the end of what’s already primed to be a veteran Cardinals rotation.
Even if Stanton were healthy enough for Opening Day, New York will manage his workload throughout the 2025 season to keep him healthy for a potential postseason run.
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