The St. Louis Cardinals appear to be entering a new phase, and one franchise legend believes the roster shakeup is far from finished. After a couple of seasons that fell short of expectations, the organization’s recent moves suggest a clear shift toward rebuilding.
Earlier this offseason, the Cardinals made a major change by trading longtime star third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks. That deal alone signaled a change in direction, but it wasn’t the only one. St. Louis also moved on from several other core contributors from last year’s roster, including starting pitcher Sonny Gray, catcher/first baseman Willson Contreras, and second baseman Brendan Donovan. Those departures removed a significant chunk of veteran production and leadership from the clubhouse.
With so many familiar faces gone, questions remain about whether the front office is done dealing. According to former Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn, the answer is no. Speaking on the show Cardinal Territory, Lynn didn’t hesitate to describe the situation as a rebuild and suggested that additional trades could be coming, even mentioning specific names.
“It’s pretty obvious it’s a rebuild,” Lynn said. “There’s really no other way to say it. You’re probably just waiting for Lars Nootbaar and JoJo to be moved, and if Lars hadn’t needed surgery this offseason, he might already be gone. Those could be two guys you package together around the trade deadline.”
Both players Lynn referenced have value. Reliever JoJo Romero is coming off a strong 2025 campaign, appearing in 65 games and posting an impressive 2.07 ERA. He logged 61 innings, recorded eight saves and 24 holds, and proved to be one of the club’s most reliable bullpen arms.
Outfielder Lars Nootbaar also saw extensive action last season, playing in 135 games. While his numbers were solid rather than spectacular, he still contributed 13 home runs, 48 RBIs, and a .234/.325/.361 slash line — production that could appeal to teams looking for an affordable, controllable outfielder.
National analysts have taken note of St. Louis’ offseason direction. The Cardinals added starting pitcher Dustin May on a one-year deal and brought in young talent through trades, but they avoided major headline-grabbing signings. The overall approach points toward long-term planning rather than an immediate push to contend.
All signs suggest the Cardinals are still in transition, and more roster changes could be ahead as the trade deadline approaches. If Lynn’s outlook proves accurate, Romero and Nootbaar may be among the next names to watch as St. Louis continues reshaping its future.
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