Rumors Swirling about Possible Blockbuster Trade Involving the Cardinals Before Trade Deadline
The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves at the centre of potential blockbuster trades, with contending clubs eyeing their young bats as their missing pieces in a push for a World Series. Names like Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson, and Lars Nootbaar have been mentioned, but as of the 2025 MLB trade deadline, no specific reports or confirmed information link these players to any trade deals or potential partners.
The Cardinals, known for their strategic moves, have been open for business and have been listening to offers for their young bats. The team's focus seems to be on bullpen trades and prospect acquisitions, while orders concerning outfielders and infielders like Donovan, Nootbaar, and Burleson have not been publicly disclosed.
Brendan Donovan, who had an All-Star year, slashing .285/.358/.416, has been 20% above league average in offensive production and worth 2.5 fWAR. Alec Burleson, on the other hand, is having a career year, slashing .287/.341/.469 with 14 home runs, batting 27% above league average. Lars Nootbaar, despite a down year, is 14% above league average at the plate and plays above-average corner outfield defense.
The lack of available bats in the trade market may push contending teams to make hard offers to the Cardinals for their young bats. Several teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, have shown interest in acquiring these young bats from the Cardinals. The Phillies' need for a corner outfielder could lead them to make a blockbuster trade with the Cardinals today.
The Cardinals have moved star closer Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets and swingman Steven Matz to the Boston Red Sox, indicating a possible shift in their trading strategy. However, the team has at least two years of club control remaining on players like Ivan Herrera, Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, Donovan, Burleson, and Nootbaar, suggesting they are in no rush to make a trade.
Teams around baseball think highly of Lars Nootbaar's upside and see untapped offensive potential in his profile due to his incredible feel for the strike zone and ability to hit the ball hard consistently. The Cardinals have not traded any of the young bats yet, but the possibility remains that they may do so today.
[1] MLB Trade Rumors - 2025 Deadline Coverage [2] MLB.com - Cardinals Acquire Anthony Veneziano [3] St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Cardinals Trade Ryan Helsley to Mets [4] CBS Sports - Cardinals Trade Steven Matz to Red Sox
- Given the Cardinals' young talent, especially Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson, and Lars Nootbaar, MLB teams searching for offensive power might consider making significant trade offers to St. Louis.
- Amidst potential trade talks, the uncertain trades involving Donovan, Nootbaar, and Burleson follow the Cardinals' recent deals, with the team keeping hold of their long-term prospects like Herrera, Gorman, Walker, and the three mentioned players.
