The St. Louis Cardinals entered the 2025 season with low expectations, projected to sit near the bottom of the National League Central. Yet, under manager Oliver Marmol, they’ve gotten off to an unexpectedly strong start through the first two months. Their early success has caught the rest of the league off guard—especially teams hoping to acquire some of St. Louis’ veteran players.
While Nolan Arenado remains on the trade block, the odds of players like Brendan Donovan or Willson Contreras being dealt are much lower. One player who clearly belongs in St. Louis for the long term is Lars Nootbaar.
At 27, Nootbaar is the oldest player in the Cardinals’ outfield, but also the most productive—both offensively and defensively. Now in his fifth MLB season, he has developed into one of the more complete players on the team.
Although his greatest strength lies in his hitting, he’s entering his prime with the potential to become a franchise cornerstone. The Cardinals are banking on his continued development to push him toward stardom.
Nootbaar is currently on track to surpass all his previous career highs in 2025. Having only missed two games so far, he’s on pace to set new marks in games played and overall production.
For instance, he’s just six home runs away from tying his personal best. While some fans might see this breakout year as an anomaly, the Cardinals may view it as a glimpse of his future.
Alongside Jordan Walker, Nootbaar is a key figure in the Cardinals’ youth movement. But with his upside and well-rounded skill set, the team may see Nootbaar as the most promising talent in their current core.
Lars Nootbaar could fill the big shoes Paul Goldschmidt left behind
Following another strong season from Paul Goldschmidt, the Cardinals made the decision to part ways with the former AL MVP, allowing him to leave in free agency. Goldschmidt signed with the New York Yankees, where he’s once again making a significant impact.
The Cardinals likely wouldn’t have let him go unless they believed they already had a capable successor in-house. With the way Lars Nootbaar has started the season, fans are beginning to believe he might be that player.
While Nootbaar isn’t in the MVP conversation yet, it’s worth remembering that Goldschmidt didn’t win his MVP until he was 34. Manager Oli Marmol and the Cardinals have time to evaluate whether Nootbaar can grow into that caliber of player.
For now, they’re simply pleased he’s staying healthy and contributing consistently. His skillset and determination have made him a valuable asset, and his future development looks promising.
Nootbaar may never be the kind of superstar who single-handedly carries a team, but that’s not the Cardinals’ style anyway. Even during Goldschmidt’s tenure as a leader, he had help from veterans like Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, and manager Marmol, forming the backbone of consistently competitive teams in the 2010s. Nootbaar will have a different group around him, but Marmol is prepared to lead this new era alongside him.
Marmol, the youngest manager in the majors by five years, is still carving out his own place in the league—much like Nootbaar. Together with rising talent like Masyn Winn, they have the potential to form a memorable core in Cardinals history.
Nootbaar can help the team get valuable postseason experience
Most of the veterans on the Cardinals’ roster have postseason experience, but players like Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado are no longer considered part of the team’s future.
Instead, the focus has shifted to Lars Nootbaar, who is expected to help guide the team back to the playoffs and provide valuable postseason experience for the younger core. Gaining that kind of high-pressure exposure could accelerate their development and highlight areas in need of improvement.
Back in 2022—the last time St. Louis made the playoffs—Nootbaar was one of the emerging young players. Now, only a few players remain from that brief postseason appearance, including Nootbaar, Ivan Herrera, Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson, Nolan Gorman, and Matthew Liberatore. That team was quickly eliminated, getting swept in the Wild Card round by the Royals.
Even though the Cardinals may not be strong contenders for a deep playoff run this year, securing a spot in the postseason should still be their goal. The intense race for the NL wild card and the challenges within their division will provide a clear benchmark for how much progress the team still needs to make.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Cardinals face significant decisions. Every move they make should prioritize the franchise’s long-term outlook.
As a result, the team’s young core—especially Nootbaar—is expected to remain intact. If the organization stays the course, Nootbaar and his peers could become the foundation of the next successful era of Cardinals baseball.
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