The St. Louis Cardinals, one of baseball's few teams in full-blown rebuild mode, are open to offers for most of their players. However, there's a fascinating twist to their trade strategy, especially when it comes to outfielder Lars Nootbaar. Despite rumors, sources suggest the Cardinals aren't actively seeking to trade Nootbaar. But here's where it gets controversial: should they?
Nootbaar's career has been marked by injuries, and while he played more games than ever in 2025, he underwent heel surgery in October. This surgery addressed Haglund's deformities, bone spurs near the Achilles tendon, which likely impacted his performance. With a 96 wRC+ and 13 homers, St. Louis might be selling him at a low point. So, the Cardinals plan to hold onto Nootbaar, hoping he'll bounce back in the first half of 2026, making a trade deadline move more likely.
Financial considerations also come into play. Trading Sonny Gray saved the Cardinals $20MM for 2026, and trading Nolan Arenado or Willson Contreras would save even more. However, Nootbaar's projected salary for this winter, $5.7MM, doesn't create the same financial urgency. This extra year of control gives the Cardinals the flexibility to wait until Nootbaar is fully healthy before shopping him around.
Cardinals' President of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom, has been vocal about his team's need for starting pitching, whether it's young arms or experienced veterans. The Gray trade brought in Richard Fitts and prospect Brandon Clarke, but St. Louis isn't done yet. They're expected to seek more pitchers through trades or free agency. The team's interest in free agent pitchers will depend on what they can acquire through trades, so it might be a while before they dive deep into the free agent market.
The trade market is a complex web, and other teams' endeavors can impact the Cardinals' plans. For instance, teams interested in Brendan Donovan for their second base vacancy are also eyeing Brandon Lowe or Ketel Marte. If one of these players is traded elsewhere, it could eliminate a Donovan suitor but also intensify the competition for St. Louis to land a second baseman.
The Cardinals' pitching search and the Royals' interest in Donovan might be connected. The Cardinals have expressed interest in the Royals' 26-year-old southpaw, Noah Cameron, who had an impressive debut season, finishing fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. However, prying Cameron away from the Royals won't be easy. While the Royals are open to trading from their pitching depth for outfield help, Cameron is likely one of their last preferred options to move. But, if the Cardinals can offer a real impact bat, the Royals might just consider it.
This trade scenario is a delicate dance, and the Cardinals are playing their cards close to their chest. Will they hold onto Nootbaar and wait for the trade deadline? Or will they make a move sooner? And what about Cameron? These questions will keep baseball fans intrigued as the offseason unfolds. What do you think? Should the Cardinals hold onto Nootbaar, and is Cameron worth the trade? Let's discuss in the comments!
