The New York Mets are shaping up to be a team worth watching during the 2026 season as they aim to rebound from a highly disappointing 2025 campaign.
Determined to change their fortunes, the Mets were extremely active during the offseason, adding several notable players to strengthen the roster.
Among the biggest acquisitions were star infielder Bo Bichette and pitcher Freddy Peralta. They also bolstered the lineup and pitching staff with additions like Luis Robert Jr., Marcus Semien, Devin Williams, Jorge Polanco, and Luke Weaver, creating renewed optimism heading into the new season.
Despite the busy winter, there is still a belief that the Mets could benefit from adding another impact outfielder. Because of this, the team has recently been connected to a potential trade involving Lars Nootbaar of the St. Louis Cardinals.
According to Mike Axisa of CBS Sports, Nootbaar is one of several trade candidates to monitor as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
Axisa noted that new Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom oversaw an aggressive offseason that saw many veteran players moved, including Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, Brendan Donovan, and Sonny Gray.
Nootbaar remains with the team for now, possibly due to undergoing double heel surgery earlier in the offseason, but speculation continues to grow that he could eventually be dealt.
With the Cardinals appearing to be in selling mode, there is a strong chance Nootbaar could be traded before the deadline, and the Mets were listed among the potential landing spots.
Given New York’s need for additional depth in the outfield, acquiring Nootbaar could be a logical move, especially if a change of scenery helps him reach another level of performance.
During the previous season, Nootbaar played 135 games for St. Louis, recording 13 home runs, 48 RBIs, and a .234 batting average.
He also posted a career-high 24 doubles, suggesting he could provide a useful offensive boost if he were to join the Mets.
Because of his well-rounded skill set, affordable $5.35 million salary, and team control through the 2027 season, Nootbaar is expected to draw interest from multiple teams around the league.
As a result, if the Mets pursue him, they will likely face stiff competition for the outfielder’s services, though the potential fit between Nootbaar and New York appears promising on paper. ⚾
