Possible nightmare Yankees scenario emerges with Astros and Nolan Arenado..
For a moment there, the New York Yankees looked to control their own destiny in the American League with how weakened other top contenders were as the offseason progressed. But that all changed when the Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman. Game on. Right in the AL East, too.
The team that lost Bregman has also been on a mission. The Houston Astros haven’t exactly declared themselves World Series contenders with their moves, but they added Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes to upgrade at first base and “replace” Bregman. Kyle Tucker was also traded, but Jose Altuve will now play some outfield and they received new No. 1 overall third base prospect Cam Smith from the Cubs in that Tucker deal.
Over the weekend, it was reported the Astros aren’t done yet trying to reconfigure this roster. According to reports, they have re-engaged the St. Louis Cardinals on a Nolan Arenado trade, which would effectively answer all of their third base questions.
“Arenado, who nixed a trade to the Astros in December, could now be willing to waive his no-trade clause and join a Houston team that has since added Christian Walker to play first base — a move which hadn’t been made when Arenado vetoed the trade and shows the Astros’ plan to push forward as contenders,” wrote John Denton of MLB.com.
It was noted that a deal is nowhere imminent, but it’s progress based on where the two parties stood a couple months ago. And while it doesn’t represent a death knell by any means, the Astros getting better is simply never good news for the Yankees.
Astros may have reignited trade talks with Yankees non-target Nolan Arenado?
Like we’ve said over and over, New York had the chance to step on the throats of their opponents many times now. But they imposed a hard stop on their offseason moves right before the new year. They added Paul Goldschmidt and determined they didn’t need more. Since then, even the Rays have upgraded, signing Ha-Seong Kim to a two-year contract. Other big names such as Jurickson Profar, Nick Pivetta, Jack Flaherty, Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner signed cost-effective deals with their new teams.
The Yankees could’ve used any of those guys, given all the problems they’re experiencing at spring training with injuries and position battle questions. Arenado, once a rumored Yankees target, going to the Astros would just further sour what was once a promising trajectory heading into 2025. Such a move would take another step toward leveling the playing field, which is something the Yankees more than likely won’t respond well to.
