Nolan Arenado Rumors: Yankees Have Interest in Cardinals 3B amid Mozeliak Comments

The St. Louis Cardinals are interested in parting ways with Nolan Arenado, and they could have a suitor for him.

Per MLB.com's John Denton, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said it is his "intention to try" to trade the third baseman. The Athletic's Katie Woo reported the New York Yankees are interested in Arenado after failing to re-sign Juan Soto.

"At least one team involved in the Soto bidding—the New York Yankees—has expressed interest in Arenado, according to a league source, though it is unclear at this time if the Yankees are one of Arenado's approved teams," Woo wrote.

Arenado will earn $74 million over the remaining three years of his eight-year, $260 million contract, and Mozeliak said that the desire to trade him is financially motivated.

"We both remain optimistic that both parties will remain happy somehow," he said. "[Arenado remaining with the Cardinals] is a possibility, but I'm not sure that puts us where we want to be. From a financial standpoint of trying to move our payroll – there are certainly other ways to do that, but [trading Arenado] would be a big help. It's financial, but it also creates a runway for someone else."

A hurdle in the Yankees trading for Arenado is his no-trade clause, which could allow him to veto a deal to New York. If he is in favor of a trade to the Yankees, it could work out well for both St. Louis and New York.

As Mozeliak mentioned, the Cardinals are trying to shed some payroll as they try to rebuild around younger talent. The Yankees, meanwhile, can take on some additional payroll after missing out on Soto, who signed with the New York Mets.

The Yankees need a solid in-fielder who can provide a spark at the plate, and Arenado fits the bill. He had 16 home runs, 71 RBI and a .272 batting average a season ago and could help New York avoid taking a major step back with one of their best players departing this offseason.