The St. Louis Cardinals remain competitive this season with a 43-36 record, positioned 3.5 games behind the NL Central leaders and tied for the final wild card spot. Despite this standing, trade rumors involving Nolan Arenado continue to swirl as the trade deadline approaches, keeping the Nolan Arenado Yankees trade rumor very much alive. The Yankees have shown a growing urgency to upgrade their everyday third base position, and Arenado has been their top candidate throughout the offseason.

Journalist Jeff Passan from ESPN has suggested that the Yankees are a natural fit not only for Arenado but also for another prominent Cardinals player, closer Ryan Helsley. This combination has sparked ideas for a significant trade package between the two teams.

Trade Proposal Involving Arenado and Ryan Helsley Gains Momentum

Passan assigned Arenado and Helsley each around a 30% chance of being traded, which collectively points to a roughly 9% chance that both players could move in one deal. The Yankees’ current bullpen situation underscores the appeal of Helsley, who has recorded 49 saves in 2024. However, his recent metrics suggest some decline, with his WHIP rising from 1.10 to 1.44 and his barrel percentage doubling to 6.8%, according to Baseball Savant. This dip in performance could make Helsley a more affordable addition for the Yankees.

A hypothetical deal being discussed would send Nolan Arenado and Ryan Helsley to New York in exchange for a package that includes outfielder Jasson Dominguez, infielder Oswaldo Cabrera, right-handed pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (the Yankees’ No. 6 prospect), plus $37 million in cash to cover Arenado’s remaining contract years.

Details on Player Exchanges and Financial Considerations

Arenado carries a $52 million salary commitment for 2025 and 2026, which the Yankees would assume in this proposed swap. On the Cardinals’ side, acquiring Dominguez provides a youthful offensive presence to lessen their heavy dependence on Jordan Walker at the plate. Cabrera is currently recovering from ankle surgery and would not be available for at least another month, while Rodriguez-Cruz, obtained in an earlier trade involving Carlos Narvaez, shows promise but likely won’t join the major league roster until 2027 at the earliest.

This trade scenario suggests the Cardinals may be willing to trade short-term assets like Arenado and Helsley for longer-term prospects, potentially extending their window for sustained competitiveness rather than focusing solely on immediate wins.

What the Yankees Stand to Gain from the Deal

For the Yankees, this move addresses multiple needs. Arenado is widely regarded as one of the premier everyday third basemen in baseball, offering consistent offensive and defensive contributions. Adding Helsley would strengthen the bullpen, distributing high-leverage innings more evenly and reducing pressure on underperforming relievers such as Ian Hamilton and Mark Leiter Jr. This could be a pivotal step as the Yankees aim to secure their 28th World Series championship.

Additional Trade Rumors and Prospects Related to the Yankees

Aside from this blockbuster proposal, the Yankees are reportedly evaluating other trade ideas, including options involving prospects and infielder returns that could bolster depth. Comparisons have also been drawn between a Reds prospect and Hunter Greene ahead of an anticipated debut against the Yankees, highlighting the broader context of trade season excitement.

These developments indicate a dynamic trade market where the Yankees are actively exploring avenues to sharpen their roster, with Nolan Arenado remaining the centerpiece of these talks.