⚾️ SHOCKER: Rangers Join Growing List of Teams Eyeing Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar Before His Double Heel Surgery!
The Texas Rangers have officially entered the offseason rumor mill 🔥 — this time, tied to St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who underwent surprise heel surgery in October.
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, at least two American League teams, including the Rangers, showed serious interest in trading for Nootbaar before news broke of his surgery to address painful growths on both heels. Now, that revelation has thrown a curveball into his trade value and the Cardinals’ plans.
💥 Rangers’ Interest in Lars Nootbaar Reveals a Bigger Offseason Agenda
The Rangers’ pursuit of Nootbaar isn’t just a random rumor — it fits their entire offseason strategy. General Manager Ross Fenstermaker and new manager Skip Schumaker have both stressed that Texas wants to improve on-base percentage, contact skills, and lineup balance after missing the playoffs in 2025.
Nootbaar’s offensive profile makes him an ideal match. He’s patient at the plate, disciplined, and known for his elite chase control, ranking among MLB’s top 30 hitters for lowest swing rates outside the strike zone. His 21.5% chase rate last year was dramatically better than the league average, and far superior to that of Texas slugger Adolis García, who ranked among the highest at 35.1%.
Pair that with a $5.7 million projected arbitration salary — less than half of García’s $12.1 million tag — and it’s easy to see why Texas is intrigued 👀.
🔄 Old Connections, New Possibilities
The Rangers’ interest also comes with a personal touch. Newly hired manager Skip Schumaker previously worked with Nootbaar as his bench coach in St. Louis back in 2022, the same year Nootbaar broke out as one of the Cardinals’ most consistent hitters.
That connection could give Texas a unique edge in evaluating his recovery and potential. Plus, the Rangers and Cardinals already have a recent trade history — from Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton in 2023 to Phil Maton in 2025 — proving that the two front offices aren’t afraid to deal with one another.
If Nootbaar’s recovery stays on track, expect Texas to circle back quickly once medical updates go public.
💸 Money, Metrics, and the Rangers’ New Reality
Beyond player fit, money matters this winter. The Rangers wrapped 2025 with a $224 million payroll and are currently projected at $198 million for 2026 — before any offseason signings. That tightening budget makes Nootbaar’s affordable salary and team control even more appealing.
Fenstermaker recently admitted the club doesn’t have the same “payroll certainty” as it did in 2022, suggesting a shift from star-heavy spending to efficiency-driven deals. Trading for a player like Nootbaar aligns perfectly with that philosophy.
⚔️ Other Teams in the Mix for Nootbaar
While Texas has emerged as a front-runner, they’re not alone. Goold’s report mentions another unnamed American League team also expressing early interest.
Back in the 2022–2023 offseason, both the Toronto Blue Jays and Oakland Athletics asked about Nootbaar in trade talks, and those conversations could easily reignite. Other AL contenders like the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and Detroit Tigers are all on the lookout for cost-efficient, high-OBP outfielders.
Even National League clubs could jump in if St. Louis officially opens trade discussions.
🤔 The Cardinals’ Dilemma: Sell Low or Wait It Out?
For Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals’ new president of baseball operations, the next step is tricky. Moving Nootbaar now would likely mean selling low, given his recent surgery and his worst statistical season to date. But waiting comes with risk, too — St. Louis has been burned before by holding on too long to players like Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson, only to see their value collapse further.
Bloom’s challenge is finding the balance between maximizing return and avoiding another lost asset. If a team like Texas offers a major-league-ready piece, it might be too tempting to ignore.
⚾️ What It All Means
Whether or not a trade happens, one thing’s clear: Lars Nootbaar’s name will dominate headlines this offseason. For the Rangers, he represents a shift toward smarter, more selective hitting. For the Cardinals, he’s a test of patience and timing.
Either way, expect Nootbaar trade rumors to keep heating up as GM meetings unfold — and don’t be shocked if Texas is the first to make a move once the medical green light arrives.
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