Cardinals: 5 most valuable trade assets this offseason

#2 – One of Dylan Carlson, Tyler O’Neill, or Lars Nootbaar

Let’s face it, 2022 was very disappointing in regards to the Cardinals outfield. Dylan Carlson and Tyler O’Neill dealt with injuries all year, and even though Lars Nootbaar had a hot streak in the second-half, but it remains to be seen if he can do that for a full season.

O’Neill finished 8th in MVP voting in 2021 after posting a .912 OPS and winning his second career Gold Glove, but his repeated injuries and OPS slipping to .700 could lead the Cardinals front office to dealing him as he gets closer and closer to free agency. Nootbaar did post a .788 OPS in 108 games, but outside of July and August, he was a below average hitter.

Carlson dealt with injuries himself this last year and saw his OPS sit at just .695 after being almost unplayable against right-handed pitching. He did play Gold Glove level defense in right field and show the ability to man centerfield very well after Harrison Bader was traded, but he too could be dealt if it means upgrading somewhere else.

Jordan Walker looks to be starting in the Cardinals outfield as soon as Opening Day, and St. Louis could even look to add a bat like Joc Pederson or Brandon Nimmo in free agency. With so many outfield options on the roster and question marks surrounding each of their top three guys, one may need to be used in a deal.

It would not be surprising to see either of these three players end up in a package for an upgrade this offseason. Could Cleveland s want one of them in a package for Shane Bieber? Would Oakland see Carlson or Nootbaar as a long-term outfielder in a Sean Murphy trade? Could Miami see one of the trio as a weapon of Skip Schumaker if they decide to part with Pablo Lopez? The more you think about it, the more it seems logical that one of these guys is not on the Cardinals Opening Day roster in 2023.