The St. Louis Cardinals have traded outfielder Lars Nootbaar to the Arizona Diamondbacks for starting pitcher Daniel Eagen, left-handed reliever Sandro Santana, and a player to be named later. Nootbaar, 28, is currently hitting .234 with 22 runs, 37 hits, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 16 RBI’s, 1 stolen base, and 24 walks in 2026.

Nootbaar had his best season in 2023. That season, Nootbaar hit .261 with 74 runs, 111 hits, 23 doubles, 1 triple, 14 home runs, 46 RBI’s, 11 stolen bases, and 72 walks. The batting average, runs, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for Nootbaar. 

In 2022, Nootbaar had career highs in both triples (3) and home runs (14). 

Nootbaar had career highs in hits (119), doubles (24), and RBI’s (48).

Overall, Nootbaar is currently in his 6th MLB season. Nootbaar has played 575 games with 271 runs, 444 hits, 92 doubles, 10 triples, 61 home runs, 210 RBI’s, 29 stolen bases, 276 walks, and a .241 batting average.

Eagen, 23, is currently 5-8 with a 4.95 ERA, 20 games, 20 starts, 87.1 innings, 109 strikeouts, 34 walks, and a whip of 1.31 with Double-A Amarillo in 2026.

Eagen had his best season in 2025. That season, Eagen was 7-8 with a 2.99 ERA, 23 games, 23 starts, 117.1 innings, 153 strikeouts, 52 walks, and a whip of 1.12 combined between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Eagen. The ERA was also a career best for Eagen.

Eagen ranked as the Diamondbacks 5th best prospect. 

Overall, Eagen is currently in his 2nd minor league season. Eagen is 12-16 with a 3.83 ERA, 43 games, 43 starts, 204.2 innings, 262 strikeouts, 86 walks, and a whip of 1.20.

Santana, 21, is currently 5-2 with a 2.14 ERA, 31 games, 4 holds, 4 saves, 46.1 innings, 70 strikeouts, 20 walks, and a whip of 1.10 combined between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo in 2026. The wins, games, holds, saves, and strikeouts are all career highs for Santana. The ERA is also a career best for Santana. 

In 2025, combined between the Arizona Complex League and Single-A Visalia, Santana had a career high (59.1) innings. 

Santana ranked as the Diamondbacks 26th best prospect. Santana can reach 95-97 miles per hour with his fastball. 

Santana is currently in his 4th minor league season. Santana is 13-9 with a 3.46 ERA, 75 games, 4 starts, 8 holds, 8 saves, 153.1 innings, 186 strikeouts, 81 walks, and a whip of 1.30.

Nootbaar is signed through 2027. The Diamondbacks get a player who should be able to help their lineup in Nootbaar. When healthy, Nootbaar is a good player. 

The Cardinals get a solid return with Eagen and Santana. Eagen and Santana should be able to help the Cardinals at some point in the future.