The Los Angeles Dodgers have already checked off two major offseason boxes, re-signing Miguel Rojas and surprising the industry with a team-friendly, three-year deal for Edwin Díaz. Rojas remains a trusted utility piece, while Díaz gives the bullpen a true anchor after an uneven postseason run. Still, the roster isn’t complete.
Outfield help remains a quiet but real need, particularly if the Dodgers ultimately explore a Teoscar Hernández trade. That search has placed them squarely in the middle of an increasingly active St. Louis Cardinals sell-off.
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Dodgers Trade Rumors: LA Among Teams Monitoring Nootbaar
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers are among several clubs with interest in Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar.
“As reported previously by The Athletic, the Seattle Mariners are a favorite for Donovan and the Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams interested in Nootbaar,” Rosenthal wrote, underscoring how St. Louis’s inventory is being parsed across the league.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently suggested the roster doesn’t require major surgery before 2026, but acknowledged a position player addition remains possible. With Kiké Hernández expected to re-sign later in the winter—likely once the 60-day injured list becomes usable—the Dodgers retain flexibility across all three outfield spots.
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Why Nootbaar Makes Sense — and Why He Doesn’t
Nootbaar, 28, is coming off a 2025 season in which he hit .234/.325/.361 with 13 home runs and 24 doubles over a career-high 135 games. His value has long been tied to plate discipline and solid defense, but durability remains the question. Nootbaar underwent surgery on both heels in October and may not be ready for Opening Day in 2026.
He’s arbitration-eligible through 2027, limiting the acquisition cost. For St. Louis, moving Nootbaar could help clear a left-handed logjam with top prospect JJ Wetherholt on the way.
Other Teams in the Mix
The Dodgers aren’t alone. Will Sammon of The Athletic reported the Mets have interest in Nootbaar as they attempt to replace Brandon Nimmo’s on-base production. Seattle, meanwhile, is seen as a stronger suitor for Brendan Donovan.
Despite widespread interest, nothing has materialized yet. “To some degree, it’s binary — either you have something or you don’t. Right now, we don’t,” Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
For LA, Nootbaar represents a calculated bet: modest upside, manageable control, and a potential fit—if the health cooperates.