The St. Louis Cardinals aren’t built to compete for a championship anytime soon. That’s the reality facing this organization, sitting in fourth place in the NL Central despite what’s been a decent start to the season.
Sure, they’ve got talent. Their young players are developing nicely, and there’s reason to think they could make some noise next year if that development continues. But when you’re looking at a three-year rebuild timeline, tough decisions have to be made.
Lars Nootbaar might be one of those decisions.
Thomas Carelli of SI recently proposed sending the outfielder to the Houston Astros for prospects Jacob Melton and AJ Blubaugh. It’s not a terrible return, but it feels like St. Louis could do better if they shop around.
The timing makes sense from Houston’s perspective. Nootbaar’s currently sidelined with injury, but he’s got one more year of team control after this season. The Cardinals have been playing fine without him, showing they’ve got the depth to absorb his absence.
“By the time Nootbaar returns (6-8 weeks), the season could be half-lost anyway. The team might as well deal with Nootbaar if an offer comes in.”
But here’s the thing – if you’re going to move Nootbaar, why rush it now?
The trade deadline is where his value peaks. That’s when contending teams get desperate for outfield help, and that desperation drives up prices. Right now, with Nootbaar injured and the season still young, the Cardinals don’t have the same leverage.
What makes this situation interesting is how it reflects the Cardinals’ broader strategy. They’re not tanking, but they’re not pretending they can win it all either. It’s that middle ground where you develop young talent while staying open to the right deal.
Nootbaar fits that profile perfectly. He’s a solid player who could help a contender, but he doesn’t align with St. Louis’s timeline. The question isn’t whether they should trade him – it’s when and for what return.
The way I see it, patience works in their favor here. Let Nootbaar get healthy, let the season play out a bit more, and see what develops. If they’re still out of contention come July, that’s when you pick up the phone.
Teams will be more willing to part with quality prospects when they’re chasing a playoff spot. The Cardinals just need to wait for that market to heat up.
