The most daring deadline decision for the Cardinals might involve executing a significant trade with the Dodgers.
The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in a tough spot, currently sitting in fourth place in their division and facing a potential absence from October baseball. As the trade deadline approaches, the team is reportedly open to dealing young players, with Lars Nootbaar and Ryan Helsley being among the most talked-about trade pieces.
According to recent reports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest in acquiring both Nootbaar and Helsley. However, with Helsley recently traded to the Mets, a direct deal involving him is no longer possible.
Nootbaar, a corner outfielder, is described as an average to slightly above-average hitter. His value is seen as mid-tier, making it likely that a trade package would involve prospects of similar value. This could potentially include a setup reliever or lesser prospects from the Dodgers' system, but nothing blockbuster given his recent performance and injury history.
The Dodgers have been noted to have top prospects at second base that could interest the Cardinals in trades involving young position players like Brendan Donovan. However, no specific names of prospects the Dodgers would be willing to offer for Nootbaar or Helsley directly have been confirmed.
In the past, Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals' current general manager, has made significant "sell" moves at the deadline. For instance, he traded Christian Vázquez to the Houston Astros in 2022, bringing the Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu and infielder Enmanuel Valdez.
If the Cardinals decide to package Nootbaar and Helsley, they could be looking at a return of roster-ready swing-and-miss talent from the Dodgers. This talent could provide valuable depth to the Cardinals' outfield and bullpen.
The Dodgers have been surprising in their need for bullpen arms, ranking tenth in save percentage despite having the most save situations. This need could make them a prime candidate for a trade with the Cardinals.
Two of the Dodgers' major-league ready pitchers, Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan, have shown promise. Miller, a 26-year-old right-hander, boasts a high-velocity fastball and effective slider. Sheehan, also a right-hander, has made his MLB debut and impressed with his high-spin fastball and changeup.
Lars Nootbaar could potentially be a good fit for the Dodgers' outfield, given his friendships with Dodgers players Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tommy Edman.
As the July 31st trade deadline approaches, the Cardinals are being positioned as a team to sell. If they decide to part ways with Nootbaar and Helsley, they could be looking at a significant return from the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing a much-needed boost to their roster.
The Los Angeles Dodgers might be looking to acquire Lars Nootbaar, given their need for roster-ready swing-and-miss talent, especially considering their surprising need for bullpen arms this season. If a deal is made, Nootbaar could potentially join a Dodgers outfield that includes his friends Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tommy Edman.
Given the Dodgers' major-league ready pitchers like Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan, a trade involving Nootbaar could provide the Cardinals with valuable depth in their outfield and bullpen, especially considering Miller's high-velocity fastball and effective slider, and Sheehan's high-spin fastball and changeup.
