Is St. Louis Ready for Nolan Arenado and Lars Nootbaar Next Season?
Rumors are swirling about the potential arrival of two big names in the baseball world to the St. Louis Cardinals next season. Fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of Nolan Arenado and Lars Nootbaar joining the team, but will these speculations become a reality?
According to sources close to the Cardinals organization, negotiations are currently underway to bring in Arenado, a five-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner. The third baseman has been a standout player for the Colorado Rockies, but with his contract set to expire after the 2021 season, the Cardinals are looking to make a move.
But it’s not just Arenado that has fans buzzing. Lars Nootbaar, a rising star in the minor leagues, has also caught the attention of the Cardinals. The outfielder has been making waves with his impressive performance in the Arizona Fall League, leading many to believe he could be a valuable addition to the team next season.
While nothing is set in stone yet, the possibility of Arenado and Nootbaar donning the Cardinals’ iconic red and white uniforms has fans excited for what could be a game-changing season. With the team’s recent struggles
Could These Two Cardinals Players Be Traded Before Next Season?
St. Louis Cardinals Rumored to Be Considering Trades for Nolan Arenado and Lars Nootbaar
The St. Louis Cardinals are currently fighting for an NL Wild Card spot, but that hasn’t stopped rumors from swirling about potential trades for next season.
According to an article by Joel Reuter for Bleacher Report, eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado and outfielder Lars Nootbaar could be on the trading block before the 2026 Opening Day.
Reuter reports that the Cardinals have been trying to move Arenado since last offseason, and while he blocked a trade to the Astros in December, he has not ruled out accepting a move to another team.
Arenado, who is signed through 2027, has a front-loaded contract that decreases in value each year. Additionally, the Rockies will be paying $5 million of his 2026 salary, making the financials less daunting than they once were.
The 34-year-old third baseman was recently placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain, but is expected to begin a rehab assignment this Friday in Jupiter, Florida, where the Cardinals’ Single-A affiliate is based.
Despite a rocky season before his injury, Arenado is still considered a solid veteran presence and his defensive skills at third base could make a significant impact for any team.
As for Nootbaar, he has already drawn interest from other teams before the trade deadline, along with Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson. Reuter believes that Nootbaar is the most likely to be traded, as he has one less year of club control than Burleson and does not provide the same defensive versatility as Donovan.
Despite his struggles this year, Nootbaar is only 27 and has a career slash line of .242/.344/.415 over four-plus seasons in the league. He is also arbitration-eligible through 2027.
