The Chicago Cubs have been linked to Nolan Arenado in recent months. After missing out on Alex Bregman, who inked a deal with the Boston Red Sox, the Cubs seem to be content with giving Matt Shaw the job on Opening Day.
That isn’t the wrong idea, and perhaps Shaw will become a star like many believe in the future.
However, trading for Arenado would be less of a risk, something a team like the Cubs could use as they look to win a World Series.
And the longer the Cubs wait to add Arenado, the better chance of someone coming in and poaching him.
The team that’s been linked to the future Hall of Famer the most is the New York Yankees.
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However, the Yankees don’t seem too willing to give up much more than Marcus Stroman, who Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report suggested won’t be enough to get a deal done.
“The New York Yankees are one, though they’ll apparently have to do better than offering Marcus Stroman. The hurdle either way is Arenado’s contract, which includes a no-trade clause and owes him $74 million through 2027,” Rymer wrote.
The Cubs likely wouldn’t have to give up much for Arenado, but that isn’t why they haven’t traded for him.
Chicago shouldn’t want to take on the rest of his money, and while the St. Louis Cardinals are willing to eat some, he’d still be a bit expensive.