MLB insider sees obstacles in Nolan Arenado's potential move to Yankees

The offseason started with many speculating that third baseman Nolan Arenado may be moved by the St. Louis Cardinals, possibly to contending teams like the LA Dodgers and the New York Yankees. However, we have entered a new year, and Arenado is still playing at Busch Stadium.

In Thursday's Baseball Insiders podcast, host Adam Weinrib asked MLB Insider Robert Murray about the possibility of Yankees acquiring Arenado in a trade so that Jazz Chisholm can head back to second base, where he has played most.

"I think that's a fair thing to say," Murray said (19:55 onwards). "And I also think that, I mean, there's a possibility that he does stay in St. Louis, and that's just the nature of the trade market. His market was always going to be limited, especially with his contract and declining performance, and also his no-trade clause.

"We saw that get implemented here with the Houston Astros. And those were always going to be hurdles for a potential move. Maybe they hold onto him now, and then once there's an injury in spring training, they look to possibly utilize that as an opportunity to move on from that contract."

Murray also pointed out that while the Cardinals have been open about shedding salary, they might be waiting for an injury in spring training to look for a trade opportunity, leveraging to move away from Arenado's contract.

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MLB analyst thinks that Nolan Arenado is a better option than DJ LeMahieu starting third base for the Yankees

If the Yankees don't trade or sign for the third baseman, they will hope that DJ LeMahieu is ready to start third base on the opening day. If not, their infield depth would be stretched thin, requiring Jazz Chisholm to take over the position.

That led MLB analyst Chris McMonigle to recall his idea that the Yankees should avoid trading for Nolan Arenado. He feels that the Cardinals third baseman would be an upgrade at the position.

"I can’t have DJ LeMahieu as my third baseman,” C-Mac said Thursday. "I can’t even have that be a possibility. And I know they’re not going to go get Bregman. … I need a third baseman. I am more and more open, and starting to think they should go get Paul Goldschmidt’s buddy and bring Nolan Arenado to this team.

"At first I hated it," C-Mac added. "You get excellent defense. I’m starting to come around on going out there and getting Nolan Arenado, because something has to be done.”

Just a couple of years back, Nolan Arenado led the league in WAR, but he has fallen off since then. Last year, he only hit 16 home runs and 71 RBIs. That's arguably too less for a third baseman who has three years and $74 million remaining on his contract.

The Cardinals may need to shed some of Arenado's contract if they are convinced that they are ready to move on from him.