(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
With the St. Louis Cardinals preparing to sell at this year’s trade deadline, there is still a chance that they could do some buying simultaneously.
For example, the team is in need of a controllable starting pitcher who can strike hitters out and be a building block for 2024 and beyond.
Last week, Jon Morosi had reported that the Cardinals had discussed trades with the Seattle Mariners centered around some of their young bats and Seattle’s young starters.
Some have even speculated that fan-favorite Lars Nootbaar may be traded at the deadline this year.
However, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch does not anticipate the global sensation being dealt away on August 1, and he explained why on the MLB podcast “Foul Territory.”
Will Lars Nootbar get moved at the deadline? @dgoold weighs in on if the cards might keep the lefty right where he is.
Link to full ep: https://t.co/6cb1aJ3w85 pic.twitter.com/wlp380Lbl0
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 13, 2023
Goold stated that the only way the Cardinals trade Nootbaar is if they are “overwhelmed.”
Granted, they do have a glut of young outfielders, some of which are blocked.
Nootbaar had been a centerpiece in trade talks with the Oakland Athletics when the Cardinals were looking at Sean Murphy.
However, Goold reiterated why he doesn’t think Nootbaar will be traded, saying that the Cardinals view players like him and Tommy Edman as key pieces for their core in the coming years.
Instead, Goold believes that Dylan Carlson is more likely to be dangled in trade discussions than Nootbaar.
Carlson was of interest to several teams at last year’s deadline.
Goold also noted that teams will be interested in reliever Jordan Hicks, who is on an expiring contract, listing the Texas Rangers as a possibility.
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