The St. Louis Cardinals are set to undergo some major changes in the offseason following the 2025 season. They already began cutting down the roster at the trade deadline, though those moves were for expiring players.
In the offseason, the Cardinals are urged by Redbird Rants writer Miranda Remaklus to move on from a pair of young fan-favorites to reshape the roster.
"While Mozeliak may have wanted to hold off on moving some of the glut and redundancies from the roster," Remaklus writes, "it's clear there are some youngsters it's time to move on from to improve. The team needs veteran leadership in the pitching and hitting departments."
Remalkus names two "youngsters" that the Cardinals should part ways with, both of which are fan favorites in St. Louis, and wouldn't be easy to let go.
"Lars Nootbaar, for example, is a fan favorite, but he isn't consistently productive when he is actually healthy." Remaklus writes. "Brendan Donovan, the Cardinals' only All-Star in 2025, is a talented player. If the Cardinals decide to refrain from signing him ot a long-term deal, why not trade him for talent to help now?"
Even though Nootbaar hasn't been his best this season, the Cardinals should still fetch a decent return for the veteran outfielder. Donovan would also bring home a strong return if the team decides to trade him.
MORE: Cardinals' pair of left-handed-hitting outfielders could be dealt in offseason
Both moves would be controversial, but they could pave the way for some other younger players or outside veterans to come in and make contributions to the team.
This iteration of the team isn't going far, and shaking things up by moving on from Nootbaar and Donovan, if Chaim Bloom doesn't intend to sign them to long-term deals, makes the most sense.
Their value could help bolster the starting rotation or add depth to the prospect pool, thereby strengthening the organization. Whether it's to call up said prospects or deal them for veterans, acquiring such talent would be a good use of resources.
Neither Nootbaar nor Donovan is a free agent until 2028, meaning the Cardinals have another two years with both. But, if they want to get the strongest return, trading them in the offseason with two years of control would net St. Louis the best return they could ask for.
With Bloom taking over the front office, a lot of changes could be on the horizon. Due to Donovan's and Nootbaar's uncertain long-term futures, both could be moved, and Remaklus is urging the Cardinals to make such a decision to reshuffle the roster and acquire more talent.
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