Cardinals Young Star Could Be Fit For Yankees In Blockbuster Deal
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A budding star could be moved across the country in a trade hypothetical that would set the St. Louis Cardinals up with a mixed bag of talent.
The Athletic compiled a handful of trades for the New York Yankees to make prior to the Aug. 1 Major League Baseball trade deadline, and the Cardinals have a potential target.
The trade would send right fielder Lars Nootbaar to the Yankees for left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes, and prospects right-handed pitcher Drew Thorpe and outfielder Elijah Dunham.
"Nootbaar brings exit velocity, a good eye, and solid enough defense so he could shift to left field this season and head back to center field next year," The Athletic's Brendan Kuty wrote Friday. "Helps, also, that Nootbaar is under team control through 2027 and is a lefty hitter. But to get a young player with Nootbaar’s skills, it’s going to hurt.
Cortes is a Yankees fan-favorite, and the club could look to upgrade its rotation again in the offseason. Thorpe, 22, is a former second-round pick with good command and middling stuff. Dunham, 25, could become a third or fourth outfielder with just enough ability on both sides of the ball, and he’ll be eligible for the Rule 5 draft in December."
Although the package coming back from the Yankees is enticing, Nootbar is a core player who is too valuable to the organization -- especially at his young age of 25.
Another factor that would weigh heavily on the Cardinals' front office is Nootbaar's performance during the World Baseball Classic, which was a fantastic display of his potential.
Personally, I can't see this trade going through for the aforementioned reasons as well as how well the Cardinals could play in the 2024 season. Keeping their core of Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt alongside rising stars such as Nootbar, Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman is key for a deep playoff run next season.
Timely, the first of a three-game homestand against the Yankees is set for 8:15 P.M on Saturday Night in Busch Stadium.
