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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 12: Lars Nootbaar #21 of the St Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Chase Field on April 12, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, Mike Hazen certainly took his time, news breaking with only about ten minutes to go before the trade deadline at 3 pm Arizona time. Jorge Castillo of ESPN was the first to break the news, that the team has agreed a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Lars Nootbaar. The 28-year-old is a left-handed hitter, and has hit .234/.333/.354 for a .688 OPS (96 OPS+) this season. While that might not exactly seem great, the D-backs’ production from their pure left-handed hitters falls off very sharply once you get past Corbin Carroll: names like Adrian Del Castillo, Pavin Smith and Max Kepler are what we have had to date.
It is worth noting this isn’t just a rental, with Nootbaar also being under contract for 2027, when he will be in his final year of arbitration. Of course, the question of how many games will be played in 2027 – if the season happens at all – remains to be seen. Nootbaar is earning $2.95 million this year, so his arrival should not, in itself, pose any luxury tax implications for the Diamondbacks. There will also need to be a 40-man roster move made, in order to open up a slot for Lars, in addition to one on the active roster (I’m thinking Del Castillo might be sent down).
At time of writing, there’s no word on what the D-backs are sending to St. Louis. Once that’s known, I’ll add a poll to the thread, on the usual scale.
[Edit] According to John Gambadoro, the price is SP Daniel Eagan (#5 on the team’s prospects according to MLB Pipeline), IF Ruben Santana (currently in High-A Hillsboro) and a player to be named later.
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