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Lars Nootbar in 2023
The New York Mets are going to steadily be linked to MLB’s top free agents until the offseason is over. Among the team’s top needs, an outfielder stands to be priority number one, and recent reports surrounding the Mets have indicated they have shifted their focus towards the trade market, which is a bit bizarre considering the likes of Cody Bellinger, Kyler Tucker, and even Harrison Bader are still free agents.
However, there is still a lot of production on the trade market as well, and some of the names rumored to be a good fit for the Mets are Luis Robert Jr., Jo Adell, and Steven Kwan. A recent prediction has the Mets making a savvy player-swap deal for St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbar.
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Should the Mets Trade for Lars Nootbar?
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter recently released five trade ideas that address certain teams’ current problems. For the Mets, it’s a trade idea to acquire Lars Nootbar from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Ronny Mauricio:
Getty ImagesLars Nootbar in 2023
“The Mets are still in the mix to sign Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger this offseason, but hedging their bets with this trade would be a step toward finalizing a roster that still needs multiple outfielders. Nootbaar has yet to have a true breakout season, but he does have a 109 OPS+ over five years in the majors and has averaged 2.8 WAR per 162 games played. He is also controllable through 2027.”
As for Ronny Mauricio being the piece that the Mets give away, he has struggled a bit in a Mets uniform after being a top prospect, and might be able to help with the Cardinals’ rebuild, which it seems is where that franchise is headed.
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Lars Nootbar’s Fit with the Mets
Lars Nootbar would immediately slot in as an everyday player for the Mets if they are unable to sign Tucker or Bellinger.
As is currently constructed, the Mets outfield consists of Tyrone Taylor, Juan Soto, and Carson Benge. It’s a rather thin group, but New York has put itself in this position by trading away Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, and letting Cedric Mullins walk in free agency.
It seems like almost a given that they will add to the outfield in some way before Spring Training, but now it’s just a matter of if it will be a trade or a free agent signing.
Nootbar certainly doesn’t wow you on his baseball reference page, but he’s been a consistent, league-average hitter for several years now. Over 135 games in 2025, he hit 13 home runs, 24 doubles, and walked 64 times in around 500 at-bats.
He could slot in towards the bottom of the Mets’ order, and play a big role in helping turn the lineup over to some of New York’s top sluggers.
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