Yankees tried to pull hilarious stunt on Cardinals in Nolan Arenado trade talks

On Saturday, the New York Yankees kept the hot stove burning when they signed former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year, $12.5 million contract in what felt like a massive win.

Goldy bounced back in a big way during the second half of 2024 and still has plenty left in the tank. Though his strikeouts remain a concern, he's a battle-tested veteran who brings pop and plays very good defense. He's way better than Anthony Rizzo and will get paid significantly less.

Not long before the two sides came to an agreement, there was buzz suggesting both Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado could land in the Bronx, with the Yankees reportedly engaged with the Cardinals in trade talks for the All-Star third baseman.

Arenado is also on the downswing of his career, but he's still a well above-average everyday starter. The problem remains his money, as he's owed $52 million over the next three seasons, which will be his age-34-36 campaigns.

In classic Brian Cashman fashion, he tried to cancel out that money to the best of his ability with a hilarious reported trade offer to St. Louis:

"Sources added that the veteran first baseman’s potential presence in New York could have a strong influence on former teammate Nolan Arenado waiving his no-trade clause and agreeing to play for the Yankees if New York pursues a trade with St. Louis for the 10-time Gold Glove winner. The Yankees approached the Cardinals earlier this offseason about a deal for Arenado, sources said, but they were rebuffed because St. Louis had no interest in taking on the contract of veteran right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman."

That's ... really good. Not the worst trade in the world, honestly, but definitely not what the Cardinals are looking for since Stroman provides next to no value in terms of what they're trying to accomplish. St. Louis needs young talent and/or a majority of Arenado's money eaten — not a similar declining MLB talent who's making a comparable dollar figure the next two years.

Stroman is owed $36.5 million through 2026 after hitting the vesting option in his contract this past season, surpassing 140 innings pitched. While the right-hander absolutely provides value, the trade-off between his impact and Arenado's — as well as the needs of the Yankees and Cardinals — couldn't be less of a match.

Cashman already did his best to fleece the Cubs by acquiring Cody Bellinger and $5 million for Cody Poteet. Can't get too greedy this offseason, especially with how well things have went after Juan Soto's departure.

That said, try a prospect and DJ LeMahieu's dead money next and let's see how far we can push the Cardinals to the brink of insanity.