The St. Louis Cardinals have been among the more active teams in the league this offseason, though not in the way many fans hoped. Rather than strengthening their major league roster like big-market teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, the Cardinals have taken a step back to focus on long-term planning.
During the offseason, they dealt players including Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Sonny Gray. In exchange, they received a significant group of prospects, strengthening their farm system and turning it into one of the most promising in the league.
from offseason double heel surgery. Trading Nootbaar now would be the low risk move. If they wait for him to return, he could struggle early on after such a big offseason surgery. This would plummet his trade value. While his value isn’t too high right now because he’s injured, it’s better than it would be if he struggled early in the season.
The New York Mets could be the perfect team to pursue a big trade for him this offseason.
Why this would work for the Mets
For the Mets, they need more talent and depth at the big league level in their outfield. Luis Robert Jr. is a question mark. He has the potential and his defense is good enough to stick in center field every day, but his bat has struggled. Tyrone Taylor didn’t show much last year either.
Having a platoon of Taylor and Nootbaar in the outfield would be a much better option than trotting Taylor out there every day. This also opens up the flexibility to run with four or five outfielders in a bit of a rotation, where Juan Soto is the only everyday player.
Why this would work for the Cardinals
If the Cardinals can land a big league ready outfielder like Morabito, they would have to take the deal. Morabito is the No. 13 ranked prospect in the Mets system, per MLB Pipeline. He slashed .273/.348/.385 in Double-A last season after posted back to back seasons with an OPS over .800.
Girton is a high upside pitcher who could be added as depth in the Cardinals system. He has a bit of a walk problem, as most high upside pitching prospects do, but the righty is still very young in his pro ball career.
This pair of prospects would elevate the Cardinals system even more.
