PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 25: Detail of a St. Louis Cardinals batting helmet in the dugout before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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The St. Louis Cardinals entered the 2026 season facing questions about the direction of the franchise after an offseason of significant roster turnover.
And after the organization elected to move several veterans and reshape parts of its roster, trade speculation has continued to surround a handful of players viewed as potential long-term assets.
St. Louis Cardinals Could Look To Trade Lars Nootbar After Surgery Return
As the trade deadline approaches, that speculation is once again beginning to intensify.
“As far as subtracting … well, they pretty much did that all winter,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted of the Cardinals in a recent trade deadline roundup. “Which has left them with a paucity of clear candidates to move. (Lars) Nootbaar hasn’t played yet this season, but he’s a high-on-base outfielder who can play some center and has another year of club control.”
Passan added that Nootbar is the Cardinals’ “best player potentially available” and a trade leveraging the outfield veteran for some future pieces could make sense for the franchise.
Last season, Nootbar slashed .234/.325/.361 before undergoing heel surgery. He recently rejoined the team and could establish some value before the deadline in early August. He also has another year of arbitration eligibility ahead, which could entice some suitors.
MLB Insider Links Arizona Diamondbacks To Trade For St. Louis Cardinals Star Lars Nootbar
Contending teams across baseball are evaluating areas of need, and one National League club appears to be searching for exactly the type of player the Cardinals can offer.
“The Diamondbacks expect to pursue a left-handed first baseman/DH type at the deadline, people briefed on their plans say,” according to The Athletic’s Major League Baseball insider Ken Rosenthal. “Among the left-handed hitters who might be available and potentially could fit the DBacks’ desired profile … Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar…”
The fit is understandable from Arizona’s perspective, as Nootbar could likely move to first base. The Diamondbacks remain firmly in the National League playoff race but continue looking for ways to improve the balance of a lineup that doesn’t have much left-handed thump outside of the top-three hitters.
Nootbaar’s name has surfaced in trade discussions before, largely because of the skillset he brings when healthy. Even though injuries have complicated portions of his career recently, evaluators continue to view him as a versatile player capable of helping a contender.
For now, there is no indication that a trade is imminent. However, with Arizona reportedly seeking left-handed offensive help and respected insiders identifying Nootbaar as a possible fit, his name is likely to remain part of deadline conversations throughout the summer.