The St. Louis Cardinals have already shaken up their roster this offseason, moving big names like Nolan Arenado, Wilson Contreras, Brendan Donovan, and Sonny Gray. Yet, as they push toward a full rebuild, there are additional pieces that could be leveraged to maximize returns including one fan-favorite and former World Baseball Classic standout, Lars Nootbaar.
Nootbaar’s trade value
According to Christopher Kline of Fansided, Nootbaar represents a valuable trade asset. The 28-year-old left-handed outfielder is set to earn $5.25 million in 2026 and still has two years of team control remaining, making him attractive to clubs in need of an everyday outfielder.
While Nootbaar struggled at the plate in 2025 hitting .234/.325/.361 for a .686 OPS and 95 OPS+ across 509 at-bats his underlying metrics suggest positive regression could be coming. He contributed 24 doubles, 13 home runs, and 48 RBIs in 135 games, showing flashes of the power-speed mix that made him a WBC standout.
For a rebuilding Cardinals team, cashing in now rather than waiting until he becomes a “lame duck” is the recommended path. Trading Nootbaar could yield prospects or controllable young talent, helping accelerate the team’s long-term vision.
Enter Nathan Church
The Cardinals already have a potential successor waiting in the wings. Nathan Church debuted in the majors last season after impressing in the minors. Although his early performance was uneven, Church’s speed and elite defensive profile make him a natural candidate to step into Nootbaar’s role over the long term.
This transition would allow the Cardinals to pivot toward run prevention and defense, accepting that the offense may underperform while the team continues its rebuild. Church’s emergence gives St. Louis the confidence to move a fan-favorite without leaving a glaring hole in the lineup.
The rebuild calculus
Nootbaar remains one of the most accomplished hitters left on the current Cardinals roster and a true fan favorite, but rebuilding teams often face difficult choices. Turning him into trade assets now positions St. Louis to restock the farm system, add controllable talent, and accelerate the rebuild. With Church ready to assume an everyday role in center or a corner outfield spot, the transition could be seamless.
In short: if the Cardinals are serious about committing fully to a rebuild, packaging Lars Nootbaar to a team in need while giving Nathan Church the reins is the logical next step. It’s a move that balances immediate competitiveness with long-term roster construction, ensuring St. Louis continues to build toward a sustainable contender.
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