Feb 24, 2025; Jupiter, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) looks on against the New York Mets during the fourth inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Nolan Arenado in Tampa, cleanup spot sets stage for potential Yankees deal

Yankees' third base solution is in front of them?

Nolan Arenado remains in St. Louis for now. But with trade speculation swirling yet again, his presence in Tampa, playing against the Yankees, is raising eyebrows. If recent reports are accurate, the Houston Astros have reignited their interest in the veteran third baseman, despite him vetoing a trade to Houston earlier this offseason.

Now, Nolan Arenado is at George M. Steinbrenner Field, playing a road game against a team on his reported list of approved trade destinations. Add in the fact that he’s batting cleanup, and, well, this doesn’t feel like a coincidence.

Yankees’ third base need aligns perfectly with Nolan Arenado

The Yankees’ need for a third baseman has been well-documented. They need someone who can not only produce offensively but also play solid defense and provide a consistent, high-contact bat. Nolan Arenado checks every one of those boxes.

His bat would provide much-needed balance in a lineup that has leaned heavily on power hitters like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. And with Stanton’s availability already in question due to elbow issues, adding Arenado’s offensive production becomes even more valuable.

Defensively, the Yankees have lacked stability at third base, rotating between DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and others. Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, would instantly solidify that position.

Interesting chess move by the Cardinals https://t.co/s4PaoDtfDg
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) February 26, 2025

Veteran players with full no-trade clauses don’t usually travel three hours for a spring training road game. The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty summed it up perfectly, saying:

“I want to emphasize how normal it is for a 12-year veteran to take a three-hour spring road trip to one of the teams he reportedly would consider getting traded to despite his full no-trade clause.”

I want to emphasize how normal it is for a 12-year veteran to take a three-hour spring road trip to one of teams he reportedly would consider getting traded to despite his full no-trade clause. https://t.co/NxB1udFvxB
— Brendan Kuty 🧟‍♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 26, 2025

This isn’t to say a trade is imminent, but it certainly doesn’t feel like a meaningless spring training appearance.

It is strange for a veteran like Arenado to make the trip to Tampa
— Rich (@RAKcity27) February 26, 2025

Arenado has long been viewed as a potential fit in New York, and this game could serve as an opportunity for both sides to see if a deal makes sense. If he performs well, displaying both his bat and glove, it might just push the Yankees closer to making a move.

ALSO READ: American League 2025: Projected MLB Opening Day lineups and rotations

With question marks surrounding their third base situation and Giancarlo Stanton’s health, acquiring Arenado could be the Yankees’ best path to strengthening their roster before Opening Day.

Cardinals

Nolan Arenado

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.