The St. Louis Cardinals continue to find themselves balancing two very different realities as the MLB trade deadline approaches. On one hand, the club has exceeded expectations throughout the 2026 season and remains competitive enough to justify adding pieces for a postseason push. On the other hand, the organization entered the year committed to a long-term rebuilding strategy, meaning difficult decisions involving established veterans could still be on the horizon.
Despite surprising many around baseball with their improved play, the Cardinals’ recent struggles have raised questions about whether they should continue chasing a playoff spot or remain focused on building for the future. Much of the team’s optimism has been fueled by the emergence of young stars such as Jordan Walker and highly regarded prospect JJ Wetherholt, giving the front office confidence that its rebuilding plan is already beginning to bear fruit.
Because of that progress, several analysts believe St. Louis should resist the temptation to become aggressive buyers at the trade deadline. Instead, they argue the Cardinals should continue reshaping the roster by moving veterans who could bring valuable long-term assets in return.
One player increasingly mentioned in trade speculation is popular outfielder Lars Nootbaar. According to The Athletic’s Tim Britton, St. Louis is a strong candidate to move Nootbaar before the deadline, a move that would not only add prospect capital but also create an opportunity for one of the organization’s most exciting young talents.
Britton suggested that if Nootbaar had not undergone bilateral heel surgery during the offseason, he may have already been wearing another uniform. Now healthy, the 28-year-old could become one of the Cardinals’ most attractive trade chips as contenders search for reliable outfield help.
The reasoning behind such a move goes beyond Nootbaar’s current production. He remains under team control only through the 2027 season, making this an ideal window for the Cardinals to maximize his trade value before his contract situation becomes less favorable. His combination of defensive versatility, left-handed bat, and postseason experience could appeal to several playoff contenders looking to strengthen their outfield depth.
While Nootbaar’s offensive numbers have not been spectacular this season, they remain solid enough to generate interest across the league. Through 133 at-bats, he owns a .241 batting average along with a .715 OPS and a 104 OPS+, indicating he has still been slightly above league average offensively. Those numbers, paired with his energy and clubhouse presence, could make him a valuable addition for teams seeking complementary pieces rather than superstar production.
Trading Nootbaar would also clear a path for one of the Cardinals’ brightest prospects, Joshua Baez, to finally receive his long-awaited major league opportunity.
Baez has steadily climbed the organization’s prospect rankings and is widely viewed as one of baseball’s top-100 prospects. The 23-year-old outfielder has continued to impress in the minor leagues with a breakout offensive campaign. Across 90 games this season, Baez has posted an impressive .883 OPS while batting .244, scoring 69 runs, collecting 17 doubles, crushing 31 home runs, and driving in 77 RBIs. His combination of elite power, athleticism, and upside has many believing he could immediately inject life into the Cardinals’ lineup.
For a rebuilding organization, giving Baez everyday playing time may ultimately be more valuable than holding onto a veteran whose long-term future with the club remains uncertain.
Although moving Nootbaar would undoubtedly be an emotional decision for fans, especially considering his popularity and passion for the Cardinals, it may be the type of difficult choice necessary to keep the franchise moving in the right direction. Unless the organization plans to negotiate a long-term contract extension, trading him while his value remains strong could provide St. Louis with another high-quality prospect or MLB-ready talent to complement its growing young core.
The Cardinals have already shown a willingness to make tough roster decisions by dealing players such as Brendan Donovan as part of their organizational reset. A Nootbaar trade would follow the same blueprint—prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term sentiment.
As the deadline draws closer, the Cardinals’ front office, led by Chaim Bloom, must decide whether to reward an unexpectedly competitive season by adding talent or stay committed to the rebuilding vision that has already begun producing promising results. If the latter path is chosen, Lars Nootbaar could become one of the biggest names to leave St. Louis before the trade window closes.
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