The St. Louis Cardinals face mounting pressure to reshape their roster after a recent slump, with one prominent analyst forecasting the departure of a key outfielder before the trade deadline.
The club has dropped seven of its past 10 contests, leaving it with a 53-52 mark. That places the Cardinals 1.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the race for the National League’s final wild-card berth.
Both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals currently sit ahead of St. Louis on the wrong side of the postseason picture as well.Playoff aspirations remain alive for the Cardinals. Yet questions persist about whether the organization will part with veteran talent given its long-term outlook.
St. Louis continues to prioritize building for the years ahead rather than chasing short-term gains alone.
In that context, a recent forecast from The Athletic suggested the Cardinals will deal outfielder Lars Nootbaar prior to the 2026 MLB trade deadline.
Tim Britton of The Athletic offered this assessment of the situation: “If not for last winter’s bilateral heel surgery, Nootbaar would have already been sent elsewhere. There are multiple contenders for whom he’d be an upgrade right now, and Chaim Bloom has shown a willingness to extend opportunities to younger players.”
Nootbaar has lingered in trade discussions for an extended period, raising the possibility that St. Louis could finally act on interest ahead of the deadline and secure a meaningful package in return.
The Cardinals’ emphasis on future development makes parting with the outfielder a logical step at this stage. His market value stands strong amid a productive 2026 campaign.
Nootbaar remains under club control through the conclusion of next season, offering acquiring teams more than a short-term addition and enhancing his attractiveness around the league.
The 28-year-old native of El Segundo, California, could therefore serve as an appealing asset for St. Louis in any potential transaction.
Moving the outfielder now might yield a useful collection of prospects or allow the Cardinals to address other roster needs through a corresponding acquisition.
Several clubs appear as realistic destinations for Nootbaar given his steady production this year. Those include the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays.
Whether St. Louis elects to retain the outfielder for the remainder of the season or capitalize on his current standing will become clearer in the coming days. Holding onto him carries little downside, though selling high also aligns with the organization’s broader goals.
