Yankees could take advantage of Dodgers-Nolan Arenado buzz with this trade

The spillover from the Los Angeles Dodgers' roster as a result of their excessive spending and additions could be beneficial for a number of MLB teams, but can the New York Yankees insert themselves with a familiar trade partner?

After the additions of Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott and likely Kirby Yates, the Dodgers aren't done. Over the weekend, St. Louis Cardinals insider John Denton predicted Nolan Arenado would be traded to LA, which would create an even more extensive roster crunch.

On Wednesday morning, it was reported the Dodgers are already looking to get ahead and are "shopping some of their surplus to teams," with veteran reliever Ryan Brasier among the first likely to go.

If there's any Arenado traction for the Dodgers, then they will have to do the same with purging some of their infielders. They already started by trading Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds. And with Arenado being a third baseman, perhaps it displaces ... Max Muncy?! The perfect Yankees target?

It's definitely too good to be true, but with Freddie Freeman, Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim in the fold, would there be room for Muncy if Arenado is acquired?

Yankees-Dodgers could find common ground on Max Muncy trade if Nolan Arenado gets his wish

In reality, the Dodgers could still make it work, but they'd likely upset people in the process. If their infield remains clogged with Freeman, Edman, Kim, Muncy, Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas after an Arenado acquisition, there simply wouldn't be enough everyday reps to go around.

So ... how about the Yankees making a play for Muncy and his $14.5 million salary for 2025? He also has a $10 million club option for 2026. Entering his age-34 season, the veteran slugger dealt with injury issues two out of the last three seasons and was limited to just 73 games last year. With Freeman, Ohtani, Kim and Michael Conforto able to hit from the left side of the plate, the Dodgers don't necessarily have a glaring need for lefty bats.

Meanwhile, the Yankees do not have a starting third baseman at the moment. Yes, Jazz Chisholm held down the fort nicely in 2024, but it was his first time playing the position. Moving him back to second base and acquiring a veteran with lefty power and above-average defense to take over the hot corner would be the preferred move.

The Yankees remain on the periphery of the Arenado rumors, but with the Dodgers' buzz heating up, perhaps New York can make the next best thing happen if LA strikes again in their quest to build the best roster of all time.