BREAKING: Trade Pitch Sees Yankees Acquiring Impact Outfielder to Replace Injured Stanton
The New York Yankees may be without Giancarlo Stanton for an extended period, and one analyst has suggested they could trade for an impact outfielder to fill the void.
Jacob Mountz of FanSided proposed a trade in which the Yankees would acquire Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for two prospects:
Yankees receive:
- Lars Nootbaar
Cardinals receive:
- Roderick Arias
- Rafael Flores
This potential deal would allow the Yankees to add Nootbaar while St. Louis accelerates its rebuilding process. Nootbaar, who is under team control through 2028 and set to earn $2.95 million in 2025, would provide an upgrade in defense and baserunning over Stanton, despite being a less powerful hitter. In 2024, he batted .244 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs for the Cardinals.
In return, the Yankees would part with Arias, their seventh-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline. The 20-year-old middle infielder hit .233 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs in 2024, reaching Single-A. Flores, the Yankees’ 17th-ranked prospect, is a catcher and first baseman who played in Double-A last season. He posted a .279 average with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs and is projected to make his MLB debut in 2026.
Analyst Explains Yankees Trading for Nootbaar
With Stanton sidelined, New York could benefit from adding another outfielder.
Mountz views Lars Nootbaar as a strong candidate to replace Stanton, citing his affordability and the depth he would provide behind Jasson Domínguez.
“For the Yankees, trading for Nootbaar would also give them a reliable outfielder,” Mountz wrote. “Jasson Domínguez, who has struggled to adjust to left field, could spend some time at DH while he learns corner outfield defense in a way that creates less pressure for himself. New York might also find a suitable leadoff hitter in Nootbaar.”
According to Mountz, Nootbaar would be the Yankees’ best option if they pursue a trade to fill Stanton’s spot.
Stanton Expected to Miss Multiple Months
Stanton entered spring training already dealing with injuries in both elbows, and now he’s facing another setback. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Yankees slugger is also dealing with a chronic calf issue.
“Stanton is said to be dealing with a chronic calf issue as well as the elbow injuries,” Heyman wrote in the New York Post.
Heyman noted that while the elbow problems are the more significant concern—potentially requiring surgery that could sideline him for months or even the entire season—Stanton remains focused on returning as soon as possible.
“Let’s finish the treatment and go from there,” Stanton said. “I absolutely hate this. I’m going to get back as soon as possible… It’s going to get to a point of pain tolerance and go from there. I don’t think it’s going to be a 100 percent healed thing and start up. It’ll be, get to a point and just deal with it, similar to last year.”