Yankees could check-mate Astros after Nolan Arenado's no-trade clause decision

Whatever the outcome, if the New York Yankees can land one of the two big-name third basemen on the market right now, the Houston Astros roster would be taking a massive hit and might have a lot of trouble recovering from the losses.

We don't have to further emphasize how losing Alex Bregman in free agency will hurt Houston. He's a franchise legend and still among the best in the game.

But losing him and backup option Nolan Arenado, who exercised his no-trade clause when presented with a deal that would send him to the Astros, to a likely adversary? That would be an absolute back-breaker for the AL West champs.

All the Yankees have to do to make that a reality? Sign Bregman. Then the Astros are officially out on two of the best remaining options, settling for first baseman Christian Walker and third baseman Isaac Paredes in a Kyle Tucker-free world.

We won't know for sure until everything's official, but it feels like the Yankees win here regardless ... simply because the Astros are losing.

Yankees Rumors: Alex Bregman, Nolan Arenado updates in free agency, trade market

On Friday, the Astros signed Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million contract. Technically, they took a free agency option away from the Yankees, but it was pretty obvious New York was not going to pay that price (on top of losing a draft pick and international bonus pool money). And while Walker is good, he's enterting his age-34 season and represents another potential regression signing for the Astros (remember Jose Abreu?).

Walker all of a sudden faces pressure to fill lost MVP-caliber offensive production, which is rarely a formula for success. After spending that money, it feels like Bregman is dwindling as an option unless he caves to the Astros' demands. Though they could revisit talks with Arenado, which was a reported option, we're just not sure Walker is marquee-caliber signing to change the Cardinals third baseman's opinion.

Sign Bregman, stick a fork in the Astros. Trade for Arenado, laugh at the Astros after acquiring their immediate backup plan. The Yankees can re-take the upper hand in this rivalry by using offseason force.

After that, the play on the field should take care of itself, and we can (hopefully) officially put 2016-2023 in the rearview.

Jeff Passan said it best on Friday afternoon. This is a lesser Houston team. Purposely.