The New York Yankees have frequently been linked to the St. Louis Cardinals in trade discussions involving third baseman Nolan Arenado, but another intriguing hitter could emerge as a target this season.
With the Cardinals in the midst of a rebuild, several veteran players may become trade candidates throughout the year.
One such player is outfielder Lars Nootbaar.
Jacob Mountz of FanSided suggested Nootbaar as a potential replacement for Giancarlo Stanton and proposed a trade package to make it happen. His hypothetical deal would send Yankees prospects Roderick Arias and Rafael Flores to St. Louis in exchange for the outfielder.
Nootbaar, 27, gained widespread recognition during the 2023 World Baseball Classic while playing for Japan. A fan favorite in St. Louis, he is known as a strong clubhouse presence and could provide a reliable bat while the Yankees wait for Stanton to return.
Over the past few seasons, Nootbaar has been a steady contributor for the Cardinals. Since 2021, he has posted a .246/.351/.426 slash line with a 116 OPS+ and an average of 13 home runs per season. While not as powerful as Stanton, his skill set would be valuable on any contending team.
Known for his patience at the plate, Nootbaar draws plenty of walks and keeps his strikeouts low, turning his disciplined approach into consistent offensive production. He could help stabilize the Yankees’ lineup in Stanton’s absence and serve as a strong fourth outfielder or even a potential starter once the roster is fully healthy.
Under team control through 2027, Nootbaar would remain an affordable option for the next few seasons.
In this trade scenario, Arias would be the key prospect heading to St. Louis. Currently ranked No. 7 in the Yankees’ system, he is a switch-hitting middle infielder with elite defensive potential. While his bat still needs refinement, he fits the Cardinals’ rebuilding timeline better than New York’s win-now approach.
Flores, the Yankees’ No. 17 prospect, would be an additional piece in the deal. Despite going undrafted in 2021, he has thrived in the minors, posting a .279/.379/.495 slash line with 21 home runs last season.
While parting with Arias and Flores wouldn’t be ideal for New York, acquiring Nootbaar could be a worthwhile move as they push for a championship.
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