Cardinals have prescription for Yankees' ills

The injury bug has already hammered the New York Yankees.

Staff ace Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery, costing him the entire 2025 season and part of 2026. Defending AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is expected to miss at least three months due to a high grade lat strain in his right shoulder. 

Third base is also a concern. Infielder DJ LeMahieu is expected to begin the season on the injured list due to a strained calf. The 36-year-old LeMahieu struggled through an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, posting a .204/.269/.259 batting line in his 228 plate appearances, hitting two homers and five doubles.

One team is perfectly positioned to give the Yankees the necessary pieces to combat those injuries. The St. Louis Cardinals had attempted to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado throughout the offseason without success. Those intentions had not changed despite Arenado being on the roster when spring training began.

Likewise, the Cardinals have pitchers that could potentially be available. Starters Erick Fedde and Steven Matz had reportedly generated interest during the offseason but nothing materialized. With young pitchers such as Michael McGreevy waiting in the wings, moving a player that will not be part of the future makes sense.

The Yankees, meanwhile, are in win-now mode. While they made the World Series for the first time since 2009 last year, they came up short against the Dodgers. The lack of production at third is a concern heading into the season, while the Yankees' slew of injuries have already put a damper on their championship aspirations.

One trade could make a drastic difference for the Yankees. The Cardinals may line up as the perfect trade partner.