ESPN: The Cardinals reportedly rejected offer of Yankees Marcus Stroman for their favorite player.

Mark Feinsand, John Denton, and Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported earlier this offseason that the Cardinals turned down a Yankees offer that would have sent Marcus Stroman to St. Louis in exchange for Nolan Arenado. Whether Arenado would have approved of such move is uncertain. The Cardinals were not interested in acquiring Stroman, according to MLB.com, so they never brought it to the star third baseman.

This does not imply that the teams’ discussions about Arenado are over. Both corner infield slots remain open for the Yankees. According to Hoch, Denton, and Feinsand, they are becoming more interested in Paul Goldschmidt at first base. According to their article, Arenado may be more inclined to forego his no-trade clause in order to join his old partner as a corner infield duo in the Bronx if Goldschmidt is signed.

This week, the Yankees have been linked to Goldschmidt in a number of stories. To improve first base, it appears they will use one of the short-term free agent possibilities. The Yankees are more likely to look for a less expensive first baseman than to pay top dollar for Christian Walker or Pete Alonso, according to a report published Thursday by Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. Walker, who was apparently chosen by the Yankees over Alonso, has since left the team in a $60 million agreement with Houston.

It’s interesting to note that Goldschmidt’s asking price might end up being a snag. As he begins his age-37 season, the majority of projections, including MLBTR’s, anticipated he would sign a one-year contract. Feinsand, Denton and Hoch indicate that Goldschmidt is seeking many years. Naturally, it doesn’t mean he’ll land a two-year contract, which would be a high demand after a mediocre season.

Goldschmidt’s final year in St. Louis saw him hit 22 home runs and bat.245/.302/.414. His total offense was precisely league average, and he recorded strikeout and walk rates that were the lowest of his career. After a poor start to the season, Goldschmidt had a stronger second half, but considering his age, the overall figures are concerning. MLBTR believed he could get $15 million on a one-year contract.

The Cardinals owe the eight-time All-Star $64MM over the next three seasons, and the Rockies are on the hook for an additional $10MM between 2025 and 2026. (Colorado’s obligations would carry over in the event of a trade.) $12MM of the Cardinals’ $64MM is deferred. According to MLB.com, the net present value of what St. Louis owes is approximately $60MM. Money is another factor that complicates Arenado. Even if the Yankees signed Goldschmidt and Arenado were willing to play there, they would still need to come to an amicable agreement.

The Cardinals are attempting to cut at least the majority of that deal. According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo and Chandler Rome, if Arenado hadn’t vetoed the proposed trade to Houston earlier this week, the Astros would have taken about $45 million, while ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote that Houston would have taken $59 million. In either scenario, the Cardinals would have cut the majority of the money.