The Cardinals have hung around the postseason picture even while operating in a rebuild under Chaim Bloom, but that hasn’t taken selling off the table at the trade deadline. Lars Nootbaar is one of the names who could draw interest.
That possibility comes with a catch, though. Nootbaar has been productive since coming off the injured list last month, which means he could fetch a meaningful return.
Still, former Cardinal Lance Lynn made it clear he thinks St. Louis should only deal the outfielder if the move is tied to a real championship push.
"Lars is under control next year, so I actually see him as less likely to get traded than the people that are not under team control for next year," Lynn said.
"If you are going for a World Series push, then you would go for it and you get what you want."
Nootbaar has been a fan favorite since his major league debut in 2021, and Lynn’s point is straightforward: if the Cardinals are not truly chasing a World Series, there’s no reason to move him. The club still has one more year of control after 2026, which only adds to his value.
There is also the roster side of the equation. Trading Nootbaar would open a path for Joshua Baez, but St.
Louis would be giving up one of the veteran voices helping guide the young core. That matters for a team still trying to stay on its planned track.
For now, the bigger picture points in one direction. The Cardinals are rebuilding, and by the source’s read of the situation, they are not in a position to win a World Series title this year.
That makes Nootbaar more useful in St. Louis than as a deadline chip.
What Chaim Bloom decides as the deadline gets closer will be worth watching, but the case for keeping Nootbaar is pretty simple: the Cardinals need him more than they need to trade him.
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