Nootbaar’s Health First — Trade Speculation Second

Nootbaar’s Health First — Trade Speculation Second

Cardinals unlikely to move asset at diminished value

A recent comment by Joey Schneider of KTVI suggesting the St. Louis Cardinals could consider trading Lars Nootbaar before this year’s deadline has generated its share of discussion.

Trade talk is part of modern baseball. It fills airtime and winter columns. But timing — and context — matter.

Nootbaar, 28, is entering what should be his prime years. When healthy, he provides on-base ability, defensive versatility, and an edge that energizes both the lineup and the clubhouse. The problem has not been talent. The problem has been durability.

"Nootbaar is coming off a down season in 2025, where he set career lows in batting average (.234), slugging percentage (.361) and OPS (686) while also dealing with a left costochondral sprain that sidelined him for 16 games" ~ Jacob Macofsky, Staff writer TrueBlueLA

The heel issues that have followed him for multiple seasons led to surgery on both heels this offseason. He is not expected to be ready by Opening Day. That alone shifts the conversation.

A player coming off surgery, with a history of lower-body concerns, does not command peak trade value. Moving him now would almost certainly mean selling below full return. That is not typically how disciplined front offices operate.

Under the direction of Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals’ approach is expected to prioritize asset management and long-term structure. Bloom’s reputation has been built on patience and value evaluation, not reactionary moves. Unless there is internal concern that Nootbaar’s health outlook is more troubling than publicly known, it is difficult to see the organization moving him before he reestablishes both health and production.

Roster depth does complicate matters. The Cardinals have built outfield options, and younger players are pushing. If the club finds itself out of contention by July, a controllable outfielder with Nootbaar’s offensive profile could draw legitimate interest.

But July is a different marketplace than February.

First-step quickness, lift at the plate, range in the outfield — all of it begins with healthy feet. Until Nootbaar demonstrates that the surgeries have resolved the lingering issues, trade speculation remains largely theoretical.

There is also the intangible factor. He plays hard. He represents the organization well. Those traits are not easily quantified, but they carry weight inside a clubhouse.

In the end, this feels less like an imminent move and more like offseason noise. The Cardinals’ most practical path is straightforward: allow Nootbaar to get healthy, evaluate him through the first half, and let performance — and the standings — determine the direction at the deadline.

Health first.

Speculation second.

That’s usually how steady organizations operate.

Photo Credit - Japan Times