Yankees land Goldschmidt (source); will Arenado join him in the Bronx?

December 21st, 2024

MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest Yankees-related free agent and trade rumors right here.

Dec. 21: Yankees agree to deal with Goldschmidt (source); is Arenado next?
The Yankees have been busy since they lost Juan Soto to the Mets, redesigning their roster in just about every area. They signed starter Max Fried in free agency and traded for closer Devin Williams and outfielder Cody Bellinger. They made another bullpen move on Friday night, sending catcher Jose Trevino to the Reds for righty reliever Fernando Cruz and backstop Alex Jackson. On Saturday, they filled their need at first base by agreeing on a one-year deal with seven-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner Paul Goldschmidt, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

What -- or who -- is next on the Yankees' offseason shopping list? Possibly one of Goldscmidt's teammates in St. Louis, third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Sources told MLB.com that the veteran first baseman’s presence in New York could have a strong influence on Arenado waiving his no-trade clause and agreeing to play for the Yankees if New York pursues a trade for the 10-time Gold Glove winner. Arenado used his no-trade clause to block a potential trade to the Astros earlier this offseason, sources told MLB.com. Goldschmidt and Arenado spent four seasons on the corners of the Cardinals' infield and are said to be very close friends.

The Yankees have Jazz Chisholm Jr. currently installed at third base, but they could move him over to second -- his original position in the Majors -- to put a star at the hot corner. Alex Bregman is the top third baseman available in free agency, and the Yankees are believed to have at least some interest in him, per Feinsand.

However, since Bregman rejected a qualifying offer from the Astros, the Yankees would have to surrender a Draft pick if they sign him. That appears to be something the Yanks aren't interested in doing. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that New York was also interested in first baseman Christian Walker before he agreed to a deal with the Astros but didn’t want to forfeit the Draft picks necessary to sign Walker, who rejected a qualifying offer from the D-backs.

New York already forfeited its second- and fifth-highest selections in the 2025 Draft, plus $1 million in international bonus pool money, to sign Fried.

Beyond the infield, The Yanks met with Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki on Thursday and are among a handful of teams looking to land the 23-year-old pitcher. He isn't expected to sign with a club until at least Jan. 15.

Dec. 20: Yankees meet with Sasaki (report)
The Yankees had an in-person meeting with coveted Japanese starting pitcher Roki Sasaki on Thursday, according to the New York Post. It reportedly came on the same day that Sasaki had a meeting with the Mets.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters on Wednesday that the club had a meeting scheduled "soon" with Sasaki.

The 23-year-old flamethrower was posted by his NPB team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, at the start of the Winter Meetings. Sasaki can now negotiate a deal with an MLB team and is one of the most sought-after starting pitchers available this winter -- maybe ever -- due to his young age and high upside.

The Yankees GM said of Sasaki: "[He] has a chance to be one of the world’s great pitchers. It would be nice to have Yankee Stadium be his home."

Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, said at the Winter Meetings that MLB teams' meetings with Sasaki would likely begin this week and continue after the holidays in the teams' respective cities.

The Dodgers and Padres have been considered favorites to land Sasaki, but many other teams, including the Yankees, will be making their pitch.