The dog days of summer haven’t even fully hit yet, but the trade winds are already swirling around Busch Stadium. After moving stars like Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, and Sonny Gray this past offseason, Chaim Bloom has made it crystal clear: no one is truly untouchable if the return makes sense.
With the Cardinals sitting at 29-25 heading into late May, the front office isn’t expected to chase blockbuster additions. As ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted, it’s “very unlikely” St. Louis makes a splashy move. Instead, the focus shifts to selling — or at least seriously listening — on pieces that could bring back future value before the August 3 deadline.
Here are the four names Cardinals fans should watch most closely.
Lars Nootbaar tops the list for obvious reasons.
The smooth-swinging outfielder is returning from double heel surgery and has just one year of control remaining after 2026. He’s always been a high-floor, high-character player who fits the Cardinals’ culture, but with his impending free agency, this summer represents the last real chance to cash in on his value. A contending team desperate for left-handed outfield depth could make an offer that’s tough to ignore.
JoJo Romero feels like the most inevitable departure.
The lefty reliever carries a sharp 2.92 ERA across 24 appearances this season and will hit free agency at the end of 2026. He was already a trade candidate last winter. Teams in need of reliable late-inning arms rarely pass on a performer like this — especially one who has shown the ability to miss bats and limit damage. Expect multiple suitors to come calling.
At third base, Nolan Gorman presents a more complicated case.
His defense has been elite — sitting in the 82nd percentile with two outs above average — but the bat hasn’t delivered consistent thunder. Gorman is slashing .216/.301/.345 with a .646 OPS, six homers, and 25 RBIs through 51 games. The power potential remains tantalizing, yet it hasn’t translated into production. With Blaze Jordan waiting in Triple-A and ready to step in, the Cardinals might explore moving Gorman while his defensive reputation still carries significant weight in the market.
Then there’s Dustin May.
The right-hander turned heads Wednesday, carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers before ultimately taking the loss. His overall numbers show a 4.57 ERA in 11 starts, but the stuff still flashes ace potential. With a mutual option for 2027, the chatter around May has always carried a “rental” feel since the day he signed. A contender looking for starting pitching help could view him as the perfect mid-season boost.
Bloom has already proven he’s willing to roll the dice when value appears. Those past deals with the Red Sox weren’t just transactions — they were statements about building for sustained success rather than chasing short-term nostalgia.
The upcoming weeks will test just how aggressive that approach becomes. These four players won’t all be moved, but it’s hard to imagine all four still wearing Cardinals red when the dust settles in early August.