Angels Linked To Cardinals Fan-Favorite In Potential Trade Scenario

The Cardinals have received trade interest in this fan-favorite.

Feb 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the Los Angeles Angels logo on a hat in the dugout during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Changes have been taking place for the St. Louis Cardinals, and more are likely coming. Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray have both been traded, and players such as Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado and JoJo Romero could be next.

But those aren’t the only players that could be on the move. The Cardinals have been fielding interest in players such as Lars Nootbaar and Nolan Gorman as well.

They aren’t done making trades just yet, and there could be a lot of activity between now and the start of spring training. When listing potential targets for all 30 Major League teams, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report had Nootbaar as a trade fit for the Los Angeles Angels.

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What Trading Nootbaar Could Mean For Cardinals

Sep 6, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) at bat against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

Nootbaar had a down 2025 season, dealing with several injuries. He even had double heel surgery at the end of the year.

The 28-year-old outfielder and fan-favorite hit just .234./.325/.361 with 13 home runs and a .686 OPS in 2025. He is one of many left-handed bats on the Cardinals roster entering the 2026 season.

The Cardinals could stand to trade from their group of lefty bats this offseason, and while Nootbaar may not get them the best return, trading him would allow them to clear out the logjam and potentially even create some room for other additions from the outside, such as a right-handed bat or two.

Fans might be sad to see Nootbaar go, but he could at least get them some young pitching to help beef up the farm system for the next few years. He is not as likely to move as some of the other trade chips on the roster, but the Cardinals would be wise to at least consider offers for him.

Nootbaar made his Major League debut in 2021 and has been with the team ever since. The team isn’t looking like a contender entering 2026, so it makes sense to at least be fielding offers for the veteran outfielder.

It should be interesting to see what Chaim Bloom’s next move is and what he’ll ultimately get back for some of his trade pieces, but Nootbaar is somebody that could potentially be moved out as the Cardinals continue their rebuild for the next few years.

More MLB: Cardinals-Angels 2-For-2 Trade Pitch Centered On Nolan Arenado