The St. Louis Cardinals are on the verge of major change, with only nine games left in the regular season. The franchise finds itself at a pivotal moment, ushered in by a front-office shakeup that could dramatically alter the roster.
Chaim Bloom’s arrival as president of baseball operations has already had ripple effects, including the exit of longtime executive John Mozeliak. Moves of this magnitude typically signal broader roster turnover, and with the Cardinals already viewed as a team likely to part ways with familiar players, speculation is swirling about who might be gone by next year.
One player under the microscope is outfielder Lars Nootbaar. A fan favorite known for his energy and production, Nootbaar’s future in St. Louis remains uncertain. Analysts have pointed to his projected $2.9 million salary as a potential sticking point, raising doubts about whether he’ll remain with the team beyond this season.
As the Cardinals face these looming decisions, the central question becomes: who will still be wearing red in 2026? While no firm answers have been given, the uncertainty surrounding Nootbaar is a sign of the larger shifts expected across the roster.
With a new era taking shape, the organization must tread carefully. The choices made in the coming weeks won’t just determine the roster makeup—they could also reshape the identity of the franchise as it works to reclaim its place among baseball’s elite. For players and fans alike, that uncertainty adds extra intrigue to the season’s final days.
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