Yankees Now Somehow Betting Favorites to Land Nolan Arenado and We're Not Sure What's Happening

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado could be a major trade piece for an organization headed toward the rebuilding stages in 2020, but where he ends up is the real question. According to Odds Shark, the New York Yankees now have the best odds at acquiring Arenado in a trade, despite...well, being overshadowed by the Rangers and Cardinals in talks.

There have been no legitimate reports linking Arenado to the Yankees, yet he is listed as +300 to land in the Bronx in 2020. Behind the Yankees are the Atlanta Braves at +400, with the Dodgers and the Cubs tied at +500 behind them.

The Yankees currently have three players capable of playing third base in DJ LeMahieu, Gio Urshela and Miguel Andujar. Arenado, as a five-time All Star, seven-time Gold Glover and two-time NL home runs leader, might be considered an upgrade at the position, but the prospect of a trade seems very out of left field.

The 28-year-old Arenado is set to make $237 million through 2026, at which point he'll be 34 (though he has an opt-out clause after the 2021 season). The Yankees are already well over the luxury tax threshold, after an offseason in which the signing of Gerrit Cole dramatically inflated their payroll for the next several years.

With a number of young players on contracts set to expire between now and that time, an Arenado acquisition could throw a devastating monkey wrench into their future plans.

Then again, they are the Yankees, and the ghost of George Steinbrenner could rear its head at any time.