Nolan Arenado’s appearance made for some fun intrigue. The veteran All-Star third baseman knew how unusual it was for a player of his stature to make an early March road trip more than two hours away. He also knew he had been linked to New York Yankees trade rumors all winter. Showing up at George M. Steinbrenner Field only fueled speculation among fans.

What he couldn’t have predicted was DJ LeMahieu straining his calf that same day and being shut down indefinitely, raising trade chatter to a new level.

But what Arenado likely doesn’t know-and what most fans don’t realize-is that the Yankees haven’t been seriously interested in him.

“The St. Louis Cardinals, in the nascent stages of a rebuild, have made the eight-time All-Star available very publicly for months, but the Yankees have not been aggressive pursuers,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo reported.

This isn’t the first time a reporter close to the Yankees has noted their lack of enthusiasm for acquiring an aging infielder with years left on his contract. They’ve been cautious about similar moves in the past, including deals for Anthony Rizzo and Josh Donaldson. LeMahieu’s current situation only reinforces that stance.

Castillo doesn’t completely rule it out.
“The Cardinals would certainly need to eat some of the money to facilitate a trade. It’s likely to happen at some point in 2025-they agreed to a deal with the Houston Astros in December, only for Arenado, who has a full no-trade clause, to block the trade. Maybe it’ll be with the Yankees, who signed Arenado’s good friend and former Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in December. But the Yankees are rolling with what they have for now.”

So, congratulations to Oswaldo Cabrera, who is now all but certain to start the season as the Yankees’ third baseman. And to Oswald Peraza, who, since he is out of minor league options, will likely make the team as a bench player.