The St. Louis Cardinals have positioned themselves as one of the more competitive teams in the National League early in the season, but despite their strong start, questions are already beginning to surface about what the organization should do before the trade deadline arrives. With the club sitting comfortably at 24-17, there is no immediate pressure to overhaul the roster, yet there could still be difficult decisions ahead regarding certain players and the team’s long-term direction.
Naturally, speculation will continue to grow over the coming months about potential trade targets and players who could be moved. While every organization hopes for a magical season that ends with a championship using the roster already in place, baseball rarely works that neatly. Even teams performing well often look to make adjustments, whether to improve weaknesses, build for the future, or create opportunities for younger talent.
For the Cardinals, one of the most interesting names to monitor may be outfielder Lars Nootbaar. Although he remains a fan favorite and is nearing a return from injury, there is an argument that St. Louis should explore the trade market for him sooner rather than later.
Nootbaar is currently working his way back through a minor league rehab assignment, and if he returns to the major league roster playing at a high level, his value around the league could rise quickly. Several teams are expected to search for outfield help ahead of the trade deadline, which could create a strong market for a player with Nootbaar’s versatility and offensive upside.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, appear to have already found a productive mix with their younger outfield talent. Jordan Walker continues to establish himself as a major building block for the future and looks every bit like a future star. Nathan Church had a slow start to the season but has recently started to emerge offensively, giving the organization another intriguing young option. Victor Scott II has also flashed exciting potential, especially with his elite defensive abilities and athleticism. While Scott’s offensive game is still developing, the Cardinals clearly see significant upside in him.
The challenge for St. Louis is finding enough playing time for all of these young players if Nootbaar returns and immediately steps back into a regular role. Walker is not leaving the lineup, and both Church and Scott need consistent opportunities to continue their development at the major league level. Carrying too many outfielders could create a situation where younger players lose valuable at-bats or playing time.
That is why moving Nootbaar before the August 3 trade deadline could make sense from both a short-term and long-term perspective. The Cardinals do not necessarily need to trade him simply to cut payroll or shake up the roster. Instead, they could capitalize on an area of depth to address other organizational needs.
If another club is willing to offer controllable bullpen help, promising prospects, or other valuable assets, St. Louis would at least need to listen. The organization has emphasized development and building a sustainable future, and prioritizing younger outfielders could align with that plan if the team does not view Nootbaar as a long-term cornerstone.
There is also additional pressure coming from the farm system. Highly regarded prospect Joshua Báez, currently ranked No. 3 in the organization, is rapidly approaching the major leagues and could soon demand an opportunity as well.
While many fans are excited to see Nootbaar return, the Cardinals may ultimately decide that selling high on him before the deadline is the smartest move for the franchise moving forward.
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