Cardinals: Lars Nootbaar’s attempts to recruit Shohei Ohtani prove futile

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar joked that Los Angeles Angels star and Team Japan teammate Shohei Ohtani turned down his lunch offer.

Prior to the start of the 2023 season, the World Baseball Classic took place, which saw Team Japan win the tournament for the third time. The star of the team was Los Angeles Angels pitcher and slugger Shohei Ohtani. Also on the team was St. Louis Cardinals rising outfielder Lars Nootbaar. Two months since the two celebrated the title win, they are now in opposite dugouts, as the Cardinals and Angels face off in Anaheim, Calif.

Ahead of the game on Tuesday, Nootbaar was asked about what kind of person and teammate Ohtani was Nootbaar responded by saying Ohtani sleeps a lot and joked that he asked him if he wanted to go out for lunch the day prior, but the Angels star responded that he was sleeping.

Lars Nootbaar jokes that Shohei Ohtani turned down his lunch offer

Nootbaar and Ohtani have become great friends since playing on the same team during this year’s World Baseball Classic. After Japan won the championship, Ohtani wanted Nootbaar to promise he will team with him for the 2026 WBC.

After hearing that, Cardinals fans had to be hoping that Nootbaar’s friendship would be enough to convince Ohtani to join him in St. Louis. Of course, Ohtani entered his final year of arbitration, which he settled with the Angels on a $30 million salary for the 2023 season. With that, Ohtani is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. From there, he will be a highly sought-after player in free agency and could very well eclipse a $500 million contract.

Entering Tuesday’s game, Ohtani recorded a .294 batting average, a .355 on-base percentage, a .541 slugging percentage, seven home runs, 18 RBI, 18 runs scored and 32 hits in 28 games played. On the pitcher’s mound, Ohtani posted a 1.85 ERA, a 0.824 WHIP, a 4-0 record, 46 strikeouts and 17 walks in 34.0 innings pitched (six starts).

As for Nootbaar, he is slashing .240/.415/.380 while recording two home runs, six RBI, eight runs and 12 hits.

Cardinals fans are certainly hoping that Nootbaar’s friendship with Ohtani will result in the former AL MVP and Rookie of the Year joining him in St. Louis.