The New York Yankees have made their biggest move of the season, pulling off a blockbuster trade to acquire All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals, according to multiple league sources.
Arenado, who was widely expected to be on the move if St. Louis slipped in the standings, will now join a Yankees roster loaded with championship aspirations. The Cardinals, sitting at the bottom of the NL Central with a 9-14 record, are reportedly entering a rebuild and agreed to ship out their $260 million superstar in exchange for a package of prospects and salary relief.
The Yankees had been searching for a reliable solution at third base after DJ LeMahieu’s spring injury and Oswaldo Cabrera’s struggles. Arenado brings immediate stability and elite defense, along with a strong bat. This season, the 8-time All-Star is slashing .288/.395/.452 with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs.
According to insiders, the Cardinals will cover a portion of Arenado’s remaining contract, helping facilitate the deal. Arenado, who held a no-trade clause, reportedly waived it to join the Yankees after his preferred destination, the Dodgers, chose to stand pat.
“This is a game-changer for us,” said a Yankees team official. “We’ve added one of the best third basemen in the game and made our lineup even deeper for October.”
The Yankees now look primed to make another run at the World Series, while the Cardinals begin a new chapter focused on development and retooling.
