The St. Louis Cardinals are undertaking one of the most aggressive rebuilds in baseball. At last year’s trade deadline, they dealt three relievers in an effort to stockpile prospects. While none of those trades produced elite young talent, they did add depth to the organization’s farm system.
That momentum carried into the offseason, as St. Louis moved Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras in exchange for a substantial prospect return. Even so, the Cardinals appear far from finished reshaping their roster.
Brendan Donovan currently stands out as the club’s most valuable remaining trade asset. The Cardinals are expected to move him before the season begins if they receive an offer that meets their demands, with teams such as the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners emerging as logical landing spots for the All-Star.
However, Donovan may not be the only player on the move. Just Baseball’s Ryan Murphy recently floated the idea that the Cardinals could also consider trading outfielder Lars Nootbaar in the near future.
Nootbaar, 28, still has two years of team control remaining, making him an attractive option despite a recent dip in production. According to Murphy, injuries have slowed his progress, but when healthy, Nootbaar has proven to be a dependable outfielder.
While Nootbaar has circulated in trade rumors for weeks without a deal materializing, speculation appears to be intensifying. His value could rise further now that Luis Robert Jr. is off the market following his trade to the New York Mets.
Teams such as the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays could show interest in Nootbaar depending on where Cody Bellinger ultimately signs. The Houston Astros may also be seeking outfield help, and while division rivals rarely trade with one another, the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates could be additional fits.
If the Cardinals are able to secure a strong prospect package for Nootbaar, it would mark yet another meaningful step forward in their rebuilding process.
