DEADLINE DEAL: CARDINALS MAKE BIGGEST TRADE DECISION ON BELOVED VETERAN BEFORE TRADE DEADLINE
Cardinals Pull the Trigger: Biggest Trade Deadline Decision Involves Fan-Favorite Veteran
Astros finally land left-handed hitting outfielder in trade idea with Cardinals
It’s been said for weeks that the Houston Astros are in search of an outfielder to reinforce and balance their lineup.
Ideally, that outfielder hits from the left-handed side of the batter’s box. Before the trade deadline, the hitters market is slim pickings.
There are over a dozen clubs that still decided whether they are buyers or sellers this year.
The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the clubs that could do both. St. Louis views 2027 and 2028 as the organization’s best time to contend, so impending free agents should be on the move.
That doesn’t include Lars Nootbaar, but Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter sees a fit with the Astros if the two sides can reach an agreement.
“After missing time early while recovering from heel surgery, Lars Nootbaar has a 107 OPS+ in 165 plate appearances,” Reuter wrote. “The 28-year-old can play all three outfield positions, and he is more than just a rental with club control through 2027.”
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In 45 games, Nootbaar owns a .241/.347/.366 slash line with three homers and 15 RBIs. He would not be a pure rental for the Astros, as Nootbaar reaches free agency at the conclusion of 2027.
In Reuter’s trade proposal, the Astros send starting pitcher Cole Hertzler and reliever Nick Potter to the Cardinals.
Hertzler is the top prize for the Cardinals, with a 2.78 ERA and 80 strikeouts between High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi.
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