Cardinals Prepare Major Roster Overhaul as Trade Deadline Approaches with Nootbaar and May in Focus

The St. Louis Cardinals are pursuing significant roster changes before the trade deadline, with right-hander Dustin May and outfielder Lars Nootbaar emerging as primary trade candidates. Multiple teams have already scouted May, while the Cardinals' front office evaluates all available options to reset a struggling lineup.

May Drawing Major Interest

Dustin May has become the immediate focus of trade speculation following his recent performance. The 29-year-old pitcher held the Chicago Cubs to one hit across five scoreless innings on his most recent appearance, contributing to a Cardinals victory. Despite posting a 4.38 ERA across 21 starts and 109 innings, advanced metrics paint a more encouraging picture: his FIP stands at 3.14, with xFIP, xERA, and SIERA all falling between 3.88 and 3.95.

May's velocity remains competitive—his fastball averages 96.8 mph, ranking in the 84th percentile league-wide. He maintains strikeout, walk, and ground-ball rates of 23.1%, 7.6%, and 43.1% respectively. The Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays each stationed scouts to observe his latest start, signaling genuine interest from contending clubs.

Cardinals' Playoff Push Faltering

St. Louis signed May to a $12.5 million deal with incentives during free agency, but the team's deteriorating playoff position suggests a sale is likely. The Cardinals have compiled a 4-12 record since the All-Star break and currently sit 55-57 overall. Their NL Central deficit of 15 games behind Milwaukee is mathematically insurmountable, but they remain 3.5 games from a Wild Card spot.

Chaim Bloom, the team's president of baseball operations, faces a choice: commit to a qualifying offer worth approximately $23.1 million for May heading into free agency, or trade him to a contender before Monday's deadline. Given the Cardinals' position, moving veteran talent appears the more likely course of action.

Wider Roster Evaluation

Beyond May, the organization is evaluating other contributors, including Nootbaar, as potential trade pieces. This broader approach suggests the Cardinals are not limiting themselves to moving a single player but instead conducting a comprehensive assessment of their roster to maximize return value and facilitate their own rebuild.