Cardinals rumors: Ken Rosenthal eyeing trade similar to Brendan Donovan

While the St. Louis Cardinals are 37-28 on the season, they are still in the midst of a rebuild. There are still veterans on the roster who will draw plenty of trade interest.

Among them is outfielder Lars Nootbaar. With the Cardinals showing signs of life, some are wondering if Nootbar will be extended and considered a part of the team’s core. Another option would be trading him away, further bolstering the farm system. Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic thinks they’ll opt for the latter.

“Super utilityman Brendan Donovan was a player the Cardinals could have built around. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar is a similar type, a player whose presence and leadership enhances his value,” Rosenthal wrote. “Yet, if Nootbaar proves sufficiently recovered from surgeries on both heels, it’s hardly out of the question the Cardinals will trade him, too.”

“The Cardinals ultimately might view Nootbaar the way they did Donovan, as a player whose age and service time puts him outside their timeline,” he continued. “President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom will need to decide whether the acceleration of that timeline alters the equation.”

Nootbaar is already 28-years-old and is set to become a free agent after the 2027 season. Donovan was traded entering his age-29 season. With the Cardinals still in desperate need of long-term pitching, the outfielder could become St. Louis’ latest form of trade bait.

First, Nootbaar must prove he is fully healthy and ready to contribute. He has played in just five games during the 2026 season after undergoing offseason surgery on both heels. Still, over his six years with the Cardinals, Nootbaar is hitting .241 with 59 home runs, 198 RBIs and 28 stolen bases.

St. Louis is winning at a more rapid pace than many expected in 2026. But with their focus still on the future, Nootbaar remains on the trade block.

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