With top prospects tenure in the Bronx officially over, the question becomes: what’s next for the former All-Star?
One team that stands out as a potential landing spot—at least on the surface—is the St. Louis Cardinals, thanks to his longtime connection with Nolan Arenado. The two formed a productive duo with the Colorado Rockies from 2013 to 2018, anchoring the team during its most recent playoff runs.
But sentimentality shouldn’t drive decisions for a team hoping to compete in 2025. While the two key stars connection may spark nostalgia, the Cardinals are already walking a fine line between contending and rebuilding. Adding an aging, declining player to rekindle the past would do little to address their real roster needs—especially at a time when every move needs to maximize present performance and future flexibility.
Simply put, the Cardinals should be looking forward, not back.
The Yankees now have seven days to trade DJ LeMahieu or place him on release waivers, but with \$22 million still owed through 2026, it’s unlikely any team will bite. That means LeMahieu will almost certainly be available as a free agent in the coming days. Even then, the Cardinals would be wise to steer clear—even on a low-risk flyer.
Aaron Boone made it clear: LeMahieu no longer has the physical ability to handle third base, and he’s far from a defensive upgrade. He certainly wouldn’t be replacing Nolan Arenado, one of the best third basemen in MLB history. Shifting LeMahieu to second or first is a non-starter as well, with Brendan Donovan and Willson Contreras already entrenched at those spots.
Offensively, the decline has been just as glaring. The Yankees didn’t even keep him as a depth piece—they chose instead to eat the remaining money on his contract to free up a 40-man roster spot. That speaks volumes. Since the beginning of 2024, LeMahieu has slashed just .228/.295/.289 with four home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .584 OPS across 329 at-bats. His -0.9 WAR in that span underscores the harsh reality: he’s no longer a productive big leaguer.
Aside from veteran experience, there’s little LeMahieu brings to the table. For the Cardinals, who are toeing the line between contending and retooling, signing him would be more of a nostalgia-fueled PR move than a meaningful baseball decision. Yes, his past success with Nolan Arenado in Colorado was real—but that was a long time ago. St. Louis needs to focus on maximizing performance and building a roster that can compete now and into the future. LeMahieu no longer fits that vision.