St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar is set to make his long-awaited return to the lineup, but even before stepping onto the field for the 2026 campaign, his name is already resurfacing in trade speculation across the league.
Nootbaar is expected to feature in Friday’s lineup as the Cardinals open a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, marking a significant moment in his recovery journey. The 27-year-old has been sidelined after undergoing offseason surgery on both heels to address Haglund’s deformities, a rare and challenging condition that required extensive rehabilitation. His return is viewed as a major boost for St. Louis, which is eager to reintegrate one of its most reliable left-handed hitters.
However, despite the positive news surrounding his recovery, external trade chatter has begun to circulate once again. According to a recent report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, multiple teams around the league are monitoring the outfield market, with the Arizona Diamondbacks specifically identified as a club in search of additional left-handed offensive production.
Rosenthal noted that Arizona’s core lineup already features a mix of left-handed and switch-hitting talent, but the team lacks depth from the left side beyond a few role players and recent returnees from injury. As a result, several potential trade candidates have emerged, including San Francisco’s Luis Arraez, Detroit’s Zack McKinstry, Colorado’s TJ Rumfield and Troy Johnston, and notably, St. Louis’ Lars Nootbaar.
The inclusion of Nootbaar in early trade discussions is not entirely unexpected. His name has surfaced in trade rumors in previous offseasons, though his recent surgery temporarily cooled any serious movement. Still, league insiders continue to view him as a potential midseason trade asset, especially given his remaining team control and offensive upside when healthy.
In 2024, Nootbaar posted a .244 batting average with a .342 on-base percentage and .417 slugging mark, adding 12 home runs and 45 RBIs. While those numbers reflect a dip from his peak production, evaluators believe a healthy return could quickly restore his value on the trade market.
The Cardinals’ decision moving forward will likely depend heavily on his performance early in the season. If Nootbaar shows immediate signs of regaining his form, he could become a valuable trade chip ahead of the deadline, offering an acquiring team more than a full year of contractual control. However, if his recovery takes longer to translate into on-field production, St. Louis may opt to retain him and reassess his market value during the offseason.
Interestingly, the Diamondbacks and Cardinals have already completed a major deal in recent history, including the offseason trade involving Nolan Arenado, which adds another layer of familiarity between the two organizations.
For now, all eyes remain on Nootbaar’s return to action—but as reports suggest, his performance over the coming months could determine whether he is viewed as a long-term piece in St. Louis or one of the more intriguing trade candidates heading into midseason discussions.
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