A proposed trade scenario suggests the Atlanta Braves could acquire St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar, an All-Star-caliber player tied to a $73 million deal. With Opening Day approaching in just over a week, Atlanta may look to strengthen its outfield depth after facing unexpected setbacks early in the 2026 season. General manager Alex Anthopoulos could explore impactful trades to address these concerns.
Jurickson Profar’s season-long PED suspension has created financial flexibility for the Braves, potentially allowing them to pursue another bat. While free agency options are limited, trade candidates like Nootbaar remain available. One idea floated is sending catcher Sean Murphy to St. Louis in exchange for Nootbaar.
The Cardinals, who appear to be rebuilding, could benefit from adding Murphy despite his recent struggles and ongoing recovery from a hip injury. Meanwhile, Atlanta could offload Murphy’s six-year, $73 million contract and address an area of lesser need.
In return, Nootbaar would offer versatility and solid production. Though not an elite hitter, he has been a consistent contributor, averaging around a dozen home runs per season with a .242 career batting average. His ability to play all three outfield positions would give Atlanta valuable flexibility, allowing stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. to rest or rotate into the designated hitter role.
Additionally, Nootbaar is under team control for another year, giving the Braves time to evaluate his long-term fit. Combined with the payroll relief from Profar’s suspension reportedly close to $15 million Atlanta could also pursue further upgrades, either offensively or within the pitching rotation.
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