This summer, the St. Louis Cardinals have been among the league’s more aggressive clubs, but not in the way that the fans would have preferred. The Cardinals have taken a few steps backward in order to prepare for the future, as opposed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and other major markets, who have added a lot of talent to the big-league level.
This offseason, they have exchanged players like Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Brendan Donovan. They have been able to acquire a number of prospects in exchange, making their farm system one of the strongest in the league.
Outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who is recuperating from double heel surgery in the winter, is the next player who might be traded. The low-risk option would be to trade Nootbaar right now. He might have trouble right away following such a significant offseason operation if they wait for him to return. His trading value would drastically decline as a result. Due to his injury, his value isn’t very high at the moment, but it’s still better than if he had a difficult start to the season.
This offseason, the New York Mets might be the ideal team to explore a significant trade for him.
This is how it might occur:
Nootbaar would be traded to the Mets for prospects Brendan Girton and Nick Morabito in this fictitious deal.
Why this would work for the Mets
The Mets need more outfield depth and quality at the major league level. Luis Robert Jr. is uncertain. His bat has struggled, but he has the potential and his defense is strong enough to keep him in center field every day. Last year, Tyrone Taylor also didn’t do anything.
Instead of sending Taylor out there every day, it would be far better to have a platoon of Nootbaar and Taylor in the outfield. Additionally, it makes it possible to run with four or five outfielders in a sort of rotation where Juan Soto is the lone regular.
Why this would work for the Cardinals
The Cardinals would have to accept the offer if they could acquire an outfielder like Morabito who is ready for the major leagues. According to MLB Pipeline, Morabito is the 13th-ranked prospect in the Mets system. After recording consecutive seasons with an OPS above.800, he slashed.273/.348/.385 in Double-A last season.
Girton is a pitcher with a lot of potential who might be added to the Cardinals’ roster as depth. Like most high prospective pitching prospects, he has a slight walk issue, but the righty is still in the early stages of his professional career.
The Cardinals system would be further improved by these two prospects.
