Tuesday, the New York Yankees made one of the biggest splashes at baseball's Winter Meetings. When Max Fried's eight-year, $218 million contract becomes official, it will be the largest ever issued to a left-handed pitcher.
The Yankees might make even bigger waves on the trade front.
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While the team is already engaged with the Houston Astros in talks for three-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, the possibility looms that general manager Brian Cashman will address third base by acquiring Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals are openly pursuing possibilities to move Arenado, an eight-time All-Star coming off a down year. Just one problem: Arenado is not among the six teams (Dodgers, Padres, Angels, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox) for whom he was reported to be willing to waive his full-no trade clause.
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New reporting from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand suggests that won't be a problem. According to Feinsand, a source said Arenado would likely approve a deal to the Yankees if such a trade were agreed upon.
In the last two seasons, St. Louis has struggled to stay relevant in a winnable National League Central. The Cardinals' last-place finish in 2023 was only their second this century. Now, they're conceding a big change is in order — even if that means trading a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner while letting his agent in on the process.
Wasserman's Joel Wolfe told reporters at the Winter Meetings in Dallas on Tuesday that he'll speak directly to teams to help facilitate an Arenado trade this offseason.
The St. Louis Cardinals have given permission for Nolan Arenado's agent, Joel Wolfe, to speak directly to teams to help facilitate a trade. Arenado has a full-no trade clause is willing to go to several teams with a list "that's bigger than you would think,'' Wolfe says
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 10, 2024Arenado, 33, hit 16 home runs and drove in 71 while hitting .272 across 152 games in 2024. It was a steep decline from 2022, when he hit 30 homers, drove in 103, and batted .293 in his second season in St. Louis. Arenado finished third in National League MVP voting and won a Silver Slugger Award after the season.
The Yankees had trouble filling third base in 2024 before ultimately acquiring Jazz Chisholm from the Miami Marlins. A middle infielder and center fielder in Miami, Chisholm adapted to playing out of position down the stretch and in the postseason, helping New York reach the World Series for the first time since 2009.
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But after failing to re-sign Juan Soto, whose 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets became official Wednesday, the Yankees were left with a massive hole in the middle of their batting order.
Tucker, Arenado, or both could help fill the void.
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