Cubs Rumors: NL Central foe shut down a big trade to avoid taking on Marcus Stroman

Trading Nolan Arenado is proving to be rather difficult for the St. Louis Cardinals. The 10-time Gold Glover is due $74 million over the next three years, with the Colorado Rockies still on the hook for $10 million of it. Still, given the fact almost all of Arenado's value came from his defense over the last two seasons, it remains a hefty sum to unload.

This week, Arenado vetoed a proposed trade to Houston - and earlier in the offseason, the New York Yankees approached St. Louis about acquiring the veteran third baseman. However, Brian Cashman wanted to send former Chicago Cubs right-hander to the Cardinals in the swap and that was a non-starter for Jon Mozeliak and Chaim Bloom, ending talks before they ever really got off the ground.

Arenado could still end up in the Bronx, according to reports, especially if New York pivots to veteran Paul Goldschmidt as their first-base answer after Christian Walker signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Astros this week. As Cubs fans well know, Arenado and Goldschmidt have been teammates in St. Louis for the last four years.

St. Louis, more than anything else it seems, is looking to shed as much of Arenado's salary as possible - so taking on the $18 million he's owed in 2025 (not to mention a 2026 player option that vests at the same amount with 140 innings pitched next season) doesn't do much given they're paying Arenado roughly $20 million a year during that stretch by the time you factor in the money the Rockies are still kicking in.

Stroman checked in well below his career marks in his first year in the Bronx, pitching 154 2/3 innings of 4.62 FIP ball for manager Aaron Boone - which works out to just 1.0 fWAR at an $18.5 million price tag. He was dropped from the starting rotation in the second half and didn't pitch a single inning in the Yankees' run to the World Series - a huge red flag for a guy in year one with his new team.

Both Arenado and Stroman could be traded before the 2025 season opens; in fact, it seems likely both could change teams - but certainly not for one another after the Cardinals declared this trade idea dead in the water.