Nolan Arenado Hot Stove: MLB insider breaks down Yankees’ reluctance amid decline and contract concerns

Renowned MLB insider Ken Rosenthal believes the New York Yankees passed on Nolan Arenado amid concerns regarding his decline and sizable contract. On the "Fair Territory" podcast on Monday, he addressed rumors regarding the Yanks’ seeming lack of interest in Arenado despite the need for another infielder.

“Arenado is someone that you probably could get once the Cardinals give you their contribution to paying down his salary for about three years and 50 million,” Rosenthal said. “ That was what the Astros were going to have to pay him. You factor in the Rockies’ payments from the previous trade, it comes down to about that, three years, 50 million, with deferrals.

“That’s not a terrible amount of money for a player of his stature, but Nolan Arenado has been in decline.”

It’s Arenado’s declining performance that has the Yankees worried about taking on his contract. Arenado will be 34 in April.

“And the Yankees might rightly fear that they’re getting a player who is not going to be at his best. And why spend that kind of money for a guy at that level?” Rosenthal said. “So, I do believe the Yankees need one more infielder, but I don’t know that it will be Nolan Arenado.”

It’s worth pointing out that Arenado invoked his no-trade clause to axe a deal to the Houston Astros. So, it remains to be seen if Arenado would be inclined to agree to a deal to the Yankees.

Looking at Nolan Arenado’s declining numbers

Nolan Arenado has been one of the best players of his generation. For his career, Arenado accounts for a 56.7 WAR, adding 1,826 hits and 341 home runs.

However, his overall numbers have been declining for the past few seasons. Arenado hit 41 dingers in 2019, before gradually declining to 34, 30, 26 and 16 last season. His RBI numbers have also fallen after driving in 100 runs in his first two seasons with the Cardinals. In 2023, he drove in 93, with 71 last season.

While Arenado’s declining numbers could be attributed to the awful St. Louis Cardinals teams, the fact is that Arenado isn’t producing at the same level at age 33. As such, it’s entirely plausible that Arenado will continue to gradually slide down into replacement-level territory, making his contract a bloated one.

Of course, it’s possible that a trade to a team like the Yankees could resurrect Arenado’s career, there’s no telling if that will be the case for the 10-time Gold Glover.

The Yankees, like several other teams, could use a player of his caliber at the hot corner. It seems that it boils down to a team, like the Yankees, willing to take on the remainder of Arenado’s current contract.