If the Yankees do sign Goldschmidt, it could prove doubly beneficial for New York.

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 moves to the tenth Time to trade with St. Louis Gold Glove winner. According to sources, the Yankees approached the Cardinals earlier this offseason about agreeing to a deal for Arenado, but they were rebuffed because St. Louis had no interest in accepting veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman’s contract.

A sticking point in a potential deal with the Yankees, according to sources, is that the 37-year-old Goldschmidt is seeking a multi-year deal. That might give some pause considering Goldschmidt posted career lows in several key offensive categories each of the last two seasons after winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2022.

The D-Backs are another possible destination for Goldschmidt after Walker agreed to a deal with the Astros for a reported $60 million over three years, a source said. Goldschmidt played for Arizona from 2011 to 2018 before joining the Cardinals.

Arenado, 33, has three years and $74 million remaining on a contract he originally signed with the Rockies and traded to the Cardinals while playing for St. Louis the past four seasons. Colorado will have to pay $10 million and another $12 million will be deferred, bringing the potential commitment to a new team to about $60 million over three years. Arenado has a full no-trade clause in his contract and exercised that option earlier this week, nixing a proposed deal between St. Louis and Houston in which the Cardinals would fork over an additional $15 million to $20 million of the third-rounder’s salary Basemans have repaid, sources said.

Arenado would have to agree to any trade between St. Louis and New York, and he would be much more likely to do so if Goldschmidt was signed to play for the Yankees, a source said. Whether the Yankees see Goldschmidt as more than just an answer at first base — namely an additional player to help bring in Arenado — is unclear.

Arenado, who is winless in seven playoff games in his career with the Rockies and Cardinals, which could result in election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, has revealed he will only consider waiving his no-trade option. Clause for organizations to waive the World Series are competitors. The Southern California native has the Dodgers at the top of his wish list, but Los Angeles appears committed to sticking with incumbent third baseman Max Muncy for the 2025 season. Joining the Yankees — who lost to the Dodgers in five World Series games in October — could fulfill Arenado’s desire to play for a championship-contending team.

The Yankees expressed interest in trading for Arenado early in the offseason, a source said, suggesting a Stroman-Arenado trade. According to the source, St. Louis rejected the offer without even presenting it to Arenado for approval. The 33-year-old Stroman went 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 30 games (29 starts) in his first season with the Yankees and did not appear in the playoffs. He is due $18.3 million in 2025, and another $18.3 million would vest in 2026 if he pitches at least 140 innings next season.

The Cardinals are planning a “reset” for 2025 in hopes of clearing up payroll and providing more playing time for their young roster. According to a source, St. Louis has not only stated that President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak intends to trade Arenado, but has also received interest from the Blue Jays and D-Backs in a trade for the All-Star Closer Ryan Helsley. Meanwhile, veteran starting pitchers Erick Fedde and Steven Matz have drawn trade interest from the Tigers and Guardians, the source added.