The New York Yankees have made a swath of additions this offseason to construct a more well-rounded team in the wake of right fielder Juan Soto’s departure to the New York Mets.
But there are two moves they are not entertaining in their effort to improve third base, according to YES Network’s Jack Curry: Nolan Arenado and Alex Bregman.
Despite reports linking Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals’ third baseman, to the Yankees — perhaps in a trade for pitcher Marcus Stroman — and Bregman’s availability on the free agent market, neither make sense, Curry reported on Monday’s “Hot Stove” segment. Here’s a rundown of what he said:
On Arenado: “He is not a fit for what they are trying to do. They did not try to trade Marcus Stroman for Arenado in a salary switch. That did not occur. Is there a chance that they will trade Stroman to get some salary relief and then do something else? Yes, that is absolutely a possibility. But out on Arenado, I don’t know how much louder I can say it.”
Arenado has been among the game’s best third basemen since he debuted in 2013 and one of the best fielders of his generation; his 50.6 Fangraphs WAR ranks 10th since he debuted.
But his hitting has declined in each of the past two seasons since he finished third in MVP in 2022. He had a 101 OPS+ last season thanks to a .272/.325/.394 line with 16 home runs and 71 RBI in 635 plate appearances.
On Bregman: Alex Bregman is someone that early in the offseason the Yankees, when they had their meetings, they talked about him. They talked about his defense being a plus. They talked about his leadership abilities being a plus. But when you look at the type of hitter that he is, they don’t think that Bregman playing half his games at Yankee Stadium is worth the price tag that Bregman is going to command. Houston, Boston, Philadelphia, his game is going to play in those stadiums. They don’t see a fit right there.
“Again, anything can change with one phone call. The market can change. But both of those players, from what I heard, that’s not a road the Yankees are going down.”
Bregman batted .260 with 26 home runs, 75 RBIs and a 118 OPS+ last year. According to reports, the Scott Boras client is looking for an offer greater than the six-year, $156 million one he received from the Houston Astros, who have now moved on from him.
Patience for 3B: “Right now, on the roster, you have DJ (LeMahieu), you have Oswaldo Cabrera, you have (Oswald) Peraza. (General manager Brian) Cashman talked about that at the Max Fried press conference.
“But I also think you have to express patience, and you have to understand that other players may shake free, and again, if the Yankees make a move and suddenly there’s a surplus of cash, is there somebody out there that they think they can make a move toward?”
Curry did not mention Jazz Chisholm, who finished last season as the Yankees’ third baseman, which could indicate he’s looked at as a second baseman for 2025.
Either way, it’s apparent through the report that the Yankees are open to adding a new third baseman, though the stars mentioned above won’t don pinstripes, and a resolution might require waiting for the rest of the offseason to play out.
This offseason, Cashman added Fried, closer Devin Williams, center fielder Cody Bellinger, reliever Fernando Cruz and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
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