Cardinals Brace for Offseason Rebuild, Trade Talks Around Nolan Arenado, Lars Nootbaar

The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a challenging offseason as they hold a 72-75 record and sit fourth in the NL Central, with fan attendance at a season low. The team is undergoing a leadership change with Chaim Bloom taking over as president of baseball operations, expected to make significant decisions to rebuild and improve the roster. There is considerable debate about the futures of star players Nolan Arenado and Lars Nootbaar; although Arenado has a no-trade clause and remains under contract through 2027, many believe he should be traded to a contending team like the Los Angeles Dodgers to open third base for younger talent. Similarly, Nootbaar, despite being a fan favorite, may be traded to bring back prospects that better align with the team’s rebuilding timeline. The Cardinals aim to keep key players like Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras while bolstering their bullpen and developing young talent such as Nolan Gorman, Thomas Saggese, and Masyn Winn. Overall, the offseason will be critical for Bloom as he balances moving veterans and developing the younger core to return the Cardinals to contention.