The New York Yankees have several needs, some that have been apparent for months, and others that have emerged following Gerrit Cole’s injury. While adding another starting pitcher would be ideal for a team with World Series aspirations, the Yankees also require an infielder.
Fortunately, the St. Louis Cardinals might be able to address both of these needs. The Cardinals have Sonny Gray and Nolan Arenado, both of whom are under substantial contracts totaling $335 million, which could be a significant hurdle for the Yankees.
Zach Pressnell of FanSided proposed a trade in which the Yankees acquire both players. He acknowledges the financial challenges, but believes this deal could work if New York is willing to take on the contracts.
“While the Yankees have shown interest in third baseman Nolan Arenado, two factors have hindered any potential deal: Cashman’s reluctance to absorb much of the contract and Arenado’s reported refusal to waive his no-trade clause for a move to New York,” Pressnell explains.
The Yankees could also look to bring back Sonny Gray to fill Cole’s spot in the rotation. Gray has been excellent in recent seasons and would provide much-needed stability to a rotation with uncertainties. Pressnell speculates that while the trade would significantly impact the Yankees’ payroll, they could retain most of their top prospects and only part with a few lower-tier players.
Sonny Gray
Arenado’s Potential Drawbacks
At this stage of his career, Arenado has some flaws. The Yankees may be hesitant to trade for a player who might be past his prime. However, their options are limited, and Arenado’s no-trade clause further complicates matters. According to Jorge Castillo of ESPN, “The Cardinals would likely need to absorb some of Arenado’s salary to make a trade work. This situation could unfold in 2025 — a trade to the Houston Astros fell apart in December when Arenado blocked it due to his no-trade clause.”
Castillo also notes the possibility of a deal with the Yankees, who recently signed Arenado’s close friend, Paul Goldschmidt, though for now, the Yankees are sticking with their current roster.
Is Sonny Gray a Good Target?
Since leaving the Yankees, Sonny Gray has become a significantly improved pitcher. While he may not match Gerrit Cole’s caliber, the Yankees are unlikely to find a more talented pitcher available, especially with Cole sidelined. Gray is still an ace-level arm, and if he’s open to returning to the Yankees, a reunion could make sense, though his previous stint in New York didn’t go smoothly, which raises some concerns.
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