The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves at an intriguing crossroads as the 2026 season unfolds. Their performance has exceeded expectations, putting them in position to potentially add talent before the trade deadline. However, the organization is still in the first year of a rebuilding effort, and despite the emergence of young stars like Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt, president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom may still prioritize moving veteran pieces.
According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, the Cardinals are more likely to be sellers than buyers, with outfielder Lars Nootbaar emerging as a logical trade candidate. Britton believes dealing Nootbaar would not only bring back valuable assets but also create an opportunity for one of the organization’s top prospects.
“If not for last winter’s bilateral heel surgery, Nootbaar likely would have already been moved,” Britton wrote, adding that Top 100 prospect Joshua Baez appears to be next in line for a promotion to the major leagues.
Nootbaar, 28, is under team control through the 2027 season, making him an appealing target for clubs searching for outfield help. His combination of affordability and remaining control could allow the Cardinals to command a solid return before the deadline.
This season, Nootbaar has posted a .241 batting average with a .715 OPS and a 104 OPS+ across 133 at-bats. While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, they represent dependable production that could attract interest from contenders seeking another capable bat.
Trading Nootbaar would also clear a path for Joshua Baez, one of the Cardinals’ most exciting outfield prospects. The 23-year-old has continued to impress in the minors, producing an .883 OPS over 90 games while hitting .244 with 69 runs scored, 17 doubles, 31 home runs, and 77 RBIs.
Unless the Cardinals plan to negotiate a long-term extension with Nootbaar, moving him could align with the franchise’s rebuilding timeline. After already parting ways with Brendan Donovan, another trade involving a controllable veteran would further emphasize the organization’s commitment to building around its next generation of talent, while giving Baez an opportunity to prove he belongs at the major league level.