The St. Louis Cardinals rolled into Cleveland last June and left with a clean sweep - including a five-run comeback that felt like a gut punch to the Guardians.
At the time, it looked like two teams heading in opposite directions. Funny how baseball works.
Fast forward to now, and the script has flipped. The Cardinals stumbled to a 78-84 finish, while the Guardians, despite that low point against St.
Louis, rallied to win the AL Central. And with the 2026 season looming large, Cleveland might be in position to flip the tables again - this time by using the Cardinals as a trade partner to bolster a lineup that still needs some thump.
According to recent reports, St. Louis is open for business.
Willson Contreras, Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson, Lars Nootbaar, even Nolan Arenado - all reportedly on the table as the Cardinals head into the Winter Meetings with an eye on reshaping their roster. For the Guardians, that could open the door to some intriguing possibilities.
Donovan and Nootbaar: Two Names to Watch
Let’s start with Brendan Donovan. The 26-year-old doesn’t just bring a solid bat - he brings the kind of versatility that Cleveland’s front office covets.
He hit .287 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs last season before a groin injury cut his year short. He’s expected to be fully healthy by spring, and with two years of team control remaining, he’s the type of player who fits both Cleveland’s competitive window and budget.
But it’s not just about his numbers. Donovan can play all over the diamond, and he does it well. In a lineup that’s still searching for consistency, he’d offer flexibility and a high-contact approach that could slot in nicely anywhere from the top to the middle of the order.
The catch? The Cardinals know what they have.
According to league chatter, St. Louis isn’t eager to move Donovan unless they’re blown away.
They’re looking to clear out a logjam of left-handed bats, but they’re not in a rush to give away one of their most coveted assets. That means if the Guardians want in, they’ll likely have to pony up - and that could mean parting with one of their MLB-ready hitting prospects.
Then there’s Lars Nootbaar. If Donovan is Plan A, Nootbaar might be a strong Plan B - or maybe even 1B.
His numbers don’t jump off the page - a .234 average last season - but the underlying metrics paint a more complete picture. He ranked in the 87th percentile in both hard-hit rate and chase rate, which tells you this is a guy with a disciplined, powerful approach at the plate.
He underwent double heel surgery this offseason, which might explain the dip in production, but when healthy, Nootbaar brings a blend of power, patience, and athleticism that’s hard to find. He’d be an upgrade in Cleveland’s outfield, even if the roster fit is a bit trickier now that the team picked up Nolan Jones’ option.
Still, if the Guardians are serious about taking the next step offensively, Nootbaar is the kind of player worth figuring it out for.
A New Era in St. Louis, and an Opportunity in Cleveland
With Chaim Bloom now calling the shots in St. Louis, the Cardinals are clearly shifting gears.
Bloom’s known for reshaping rosters with a long-term view, and this winter looks like the start of his vision taking shape. That could be the perfect opening for Cleveland’s front office, led by Chris Antonetti, to strike.
The Guardians have the pitching depth to make a compelling offer - and that’s something the Cardinals need. If they’re willing to part with a controllable bat or two, there’s a real path to landing an impact player like Donovan or Nootbaar.
The Guardians took a big step forward last season. Now, with the AL Central still wide open and a young core in place, this winter could be the time to push the chips in just a little further.
And if that means dialing up St. Louis and seeing what it takes to get a deal done, well - the opportunity is there.