The New York Yankees are facing a pressing issue in their infield. With second baseman Gleyber Torres hitting free agency and no clear internal replacement at second base, the team may need to get creative. One potential solution involves bringing in a new third baseman and shifting Jazz Chisholm Jr. to his natural position at second base. While Houston Astros free agent Alex Bregman has been mentioned as a possibility, a trade for St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado could be a more fitting option.
Arenado, a perennial Gold Glove winner and one of the league’s premier defensive third basemen, would address the Yankees’ infield struggles while bolstering their lineup. Additionally, Arenado might be willing to waive his no-trade clause for a move to New York. Here’s a proposed trade scenario:
Yankees receive:
– 3B Nolan Arenado
Cardinals receive:
– SS/2B Roderick Arias (No. 4 prospect)
– LHP Brock Selvidge (No. 7 prospect)
– RHP Trystan Vrieling (No. 28 prospect)
For the Yankees, Arenado’s defensive excellence would significantly improve their infield performance while allowing Chisholm to shift to second base. Meanwhile, the Cardinals would acquire a trio of promising young players to accelerate their rebuild. Arias, a 20-year-old infielder, showed potential during his first full season of professional baseball, posting a .233/.335/.393 slash line. Selvidge, 22, displayed a strong pitch arsenal during his time in Double-A, despite occasional control issues. Vrieling, a 24-year-old pitcher, showcased reliability across 25 starts, projecting as a future middle-relief option.
Given Arenado’s no-trade clause, it may be challenging for the Cardinals to find a more enticing prospect package. However, as they shift their focus to rebuilding, parting ways with the veteran third baseman could be a pivotal step forward.
