The St. Louis Cardinals are deep in a complicated rebuild. They’re juggling the need for pitching, watching payroll, and looking for ways to boost their trade value.
Outfielder Lars Nootbaar sits right in the middle of all this. The front office isn’t shopping him, but if he gets healthy, he could become a really interesting trade chip.
Cardinals Rebuild: Selling, Retooling, But Not Desperate
The Cardinals are in a real rebuild, listening to offers on most of the roster. They’re trying to reshape a team that disappointed last season.
This isn’t a desperate fire sale, though. Some players, like Nootbaar, are getting more patience from the front office.
Why St. Louis Isn’t Rushing to Trade Lars Nootbaar
Nootbaar’s 2025 season got off to a rough start. At 28, he battled serious heel problems and ended up having surgery on both heels to fix Haglund’s deformities.
That’s not a small thing—it affects speed, running, and even how steady a hitter feels at the plate. Still, Nootbaar played more games and got more plate appearances than ever before.
His production just didn’t match the workload. He finished with a 96 wRC+ and a .234/.325/.361 slash line, which is a bit below league average for 2025.
If the Cardinals traded him now, they’d be selling low on a guy who’s supposed to get on base, hit for some power, and play solid defense. The team seems willing to wait, hoping he’ll bounce back after his surgeries.
Nootbaar’s Contract Gives St. Louis Leverage
Nootbaar’s contract works in the Cardinals’ favor. He isn’t about to hit free agency, and he’s not a pricey veteran eating up payroll.
Affordable Salary and Extra Year of Control
He’ll make $5.7 million and the team controls him for another year. That gives St. Louis some breathing room and options:
Compare that to the moves they’ve already made. Trading Sonny Gray to the Red Sox cleared about $20 million from the books.
There are rumors about possible trades involving Nolan Arenado or Willson Contreras, which could open up even more payroll. With those bigger contracts in play, there’s just not the same kind of pressure to move Nootbaar.
Pitching Remains the Cardinals’ Top Priority
Nootbaar’s name comes up in trade talks, but the Cardinals’ main focus is clear: they need starting pitching. They’re looking at both trades and free agents to rebuild a rotation that can actually compete in the National League.
Gray Deal, Prospect Additions, and Arms on the Radar
The Sonny Gray trade wasn’t just about money. St. Louis brought in Richard Fitts and prospect Brandon Clarke, adding some pitching depth and upside.
But that’s just a start. The Cardinals are watching how other teams handle their own infielders and pitchers.
Names like Brendan Donovan, Brandon Lowe, and Ketel Marte are floating around the market. Moves involving those guys could change what’s available to St. Louis, both in terms of offers and team needs.
The Cardinals have their eye on Noah Cameron from the Kansas City Royals. The lefty had a great rookie year: 2.99 ERA over 138 1/3 innings.
That kind of performance, especially from a young left-hander with club control, is exactly what every rebuilding team wants. Who wouldn’t?
Could the Royals and Cardinals Match Up on a Blockbuster?
Cameron won’t be easy to get. The Royals know what they have, and young, affordable starting pitching is gold in today’s game—even if you pay for it with prospects instead of cash.
Donovan, Outfield Help, and a Crowded Market
Kansas City could really shake things up if they chase impact outfield help. The Royals might even put Cameron on the table to get a long-term lineup upgrade.
That’s where the Cardinals’ depth matters. Someone like Brendan Donovan could headline a serious offer.
The market’s crowded, though. Plenty of teams are shopping second basemen and versatile bats. If St. Louis wants to make a splash, they’ll have to get creative—maybe Donovan and another key player to tempt Kansas City into moving Cameron.
Nootbaar’s situation feels a bit different. He’s more of a value-rebuild candidate, and the Cardinals seem willing to hang onto him for 2026 instead of selling low right now. Sometimes, waiting for the right moment beats making a move just to do something.
Here is the source article for this story: Cardinals Notes: Nootbaar, Cameron, Pitching
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