It was the last day for salary arbitration-eligible players to reach deals. If they didn’t, they’d have to go through the sometimes contentious arbitration process.
The Cardinals avoided that with fan favorite Lars Nootbaar.
According to insider Robert Murray, the Cardinals will pay Nootbaar $5.25 million for the 2026 MLB season.
Nootbaar is 28 years old and has turned into a steady contributor for the Cardinals.
St. Louis originally drafted him in the eighth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of USC, and he’s worked his way up the ladder.
Nootbaar just completed his fifth season with the Cardinals. He batted .234 with 24 doubles and 13 home runs in 135 games.
He’s a career .242 hitter with a .747 OPS across his five campaigns.
Nootbaar also has a solid eye, having worked at least 50 walks in each of the past four seasons.
The Cardinals are looking at somewhat of a rebuild in the season ahead. Nootbaar could actually be a trade candidate at the deadline.
But for now, he’s remaining in St. Louis on a solid contract that sets him up to continue to patrol the outfield and swing his smooth left-handed cut at the plate.
