Earlier this week, I proposed four hypothetical trades the New York Yankees could make in order to cement themselves atop the American League East. Possibly the most interesting deal pitched would send St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, starting pitcher Miles Mikolas, and closer Ryan Helsley to the Yankees.

Here’s the full trade I proposed to get this deal done:

  • Yankees receive 3B Nolan Arenado, RHP Ryan Helsley, RHP Miles Mikolas, $25 million
  • Cardinals receive: RHP Bryce Cunningham, SS/2B Roderick Arias, RHP Cam Schlitter

This deal is pretty complicated, so let me unpack it all.

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Arenado
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Ryan Helsley #56 and Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after winning at Oracle Park on September 27, 2024 in San Francisco, California.

Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images

Nolan Arenado and Miles Mikolas head to the Yankees with nearly $100 million combined on their contracts. The $25 million being sent from St. Louis to New York would be to help pay for these massive contracts. The Yankees would employ Arenado as an everyday third baseman, but they would quickly cut Mikolas because he’s consistently one of the worst-qualified pitchers in the league.

Though the Yankees added Devin Williams in the offseason, the righty has struggled. Plus, you can never have too much high-leverage pitching. So the Cardinals would send their closer to the Yankees in this deal, too. Helsley is on an expiring contract this season.

Returning to the Cardinals are three talented prospects. Bryce Cunningham was the Yankees’ second-round pick last season and looks to be a potential ace down the road. Roderick Arias is a long way away from a big league debut, but the versatile infielder has quite a bit of potential. Cam Schlitter has been dominant in his time in the minor leagues and could quickly climb the ranks of the Cardinals’ farm system.

The Yankees would add an everyday third baseman alongside a shutdown closer in a deal that doesn’t ruin any of their long-term plans. The Cardinals would add three talented prospects and dump quite a bit of money off their books in the deal.

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