The New York Yankees may have to navigate a long stretch without Giancarlo Stanton, as injuries continue to sideline the slugger. With his return timeline uncertain, analysts have speculated that the Yankees could seek external options to reinforce their outfield.
Analyst Suggests Yankees Trade for Lars Nootbaar
MLB analyst Jacob Mountz of FanSided proposed a trade in which the Yankees would acquire outfielder Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for two prospects.
Proposed Trade
Yankees receive:
- Lars Nootbaar (OF)
Cardinals receive:
- Roderick Arias (SS, Yankees’ No. 7 prospect)
- Rafael Flores (C/1B, Yankees’ No. 17 prospect)
This deal would provide the Yankees with a dependable outfielder, while the Cardinals would receive two promising young talents to accelerate their rebuilding efforts.
Nootbaar, who is under team control through 2028, is set to earn $2.95 million in 2025. While he lacks Stanton’s raw power, he excels in defense and baserunning, making him a well-rounded addition to New York’s roster. In 2024, Nootbaar posted a .244 batting average with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs for the Cardinals.
In exchange, the Yankees would send Roderick Arias, their seventh-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline. The 20-year-old shortstop reached Single-A in 2024, slashing .233 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs. Also included in the deal is Rafael Flores, the Yankees’ 17th-ranked prospect, who split time between catcher and first base in Double-A last season. He hit .279 with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs, and he is projected to make his MLB debut in 2026.
Why the Yankees Might Pursue Nootbaar
With Stanton sidelined, the Yankees could benefit from adding an established outfielder rather than relying on internal options.
Mountz views Lars Nootbaar as a logical target, noting that his affordability and defensive skills would bolster New York’s depth behind rising star Jasson Domínguez.
“For the Yankees, trading for Nootbaar would give them a reliable outfielder,” Mountz wrote. “Jasson Domínguez, who has struggled to adjust to left field, could spend some time at DH, allowing him to develop his defensive skills with less pressure. The Yankees might also find a suitable leadoff hitter in Nootbaar.”
Mountz believes that if the Yankees are to pursue a trade to replace Stanton, Nootbaar would be the most realistic and beneficial option.
Stanton’s Injury Timeline Remains Uncertain
Stanton entered spring training already battling injuries in both elbows, but his situation has worsened. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, Stanton is now also dealing with a chronic calf issue, which could prolong his absence even further.
Potential Season-Long Absence?
Heyman reported in the New York Post that while the elbow issues remain the primary concern, there is now increasing worry that Stanton could require surgery. If that happens, he could miss months—or possibly the entire season.
“Stanton is said to be dealing with a chronic calf issue as well as the elbow injuries,” Heyman wrote.
Despite the grim outlook, Stanton remains determined to return 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, but I’ll get to a point where I just deal with it, similar to last year.”
With Stanton’s availability in question, the Yankees must now decide whether to rely on their current roster or explore external options—with Lars Nootbaar standing out as a potential solution.
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