Cardinals Should KEEP Lars Nootbaar in 2026, Here’s Why His Trade Value Can Rebound

Bernie Miklasz breaks down why the St. Louis Cardinals should keep Lars Nootbaar for 2026 instead of cutting ties. With heel surgery behind him, an estimated $5.7M arb number, and two more seasons of club control, Bernie argues the smart play is patience, steady rehab, and a mid-season showcase to rebuild trade value. He walks through Nootbaar’s on-base skills, corner-outfield defense, platoon value vs righties, and the risks of selling low, plus lessons from past Cardinals assets that were held too long or moved too late. 🔥 Get your first month free at BlueChew with code ‘BERNIE’ https://bluechew.com 👑 Presented by DraftKings. The Crown is Yours. 🔗 Visit: https://stlsportscentral.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices