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Nolan Arenado didn’t attend Winter Warm-up this weekend, but teammate Lars Nootbaar offered a glimpse inside the mind of the Cardinals All-Star as he enters a pivotal year.
Last season, the Cardinals finished 20 games under .500. And Arenado finished with a .774 on-base plus slugging percentage, the lowest he’s posted in a full-length season since 2013, his rookie year (.706).
“He's one of those guys that I compared him to (Michael) Jordan and Kobe (Bryant) a couple offseasons ago — he's a worker, man,†said Nootbaar, who has worked out with Arenado on the West Coast this offseason. “He looks good. He's working hard. He's excited. You know, a motivated Nolan is a scary Nolan.â€
The 2023 season wore on Arenado. The passionate perennial All-Star had just a .663 OPS in the second half and only seven second-half homers in 228 at-bats.Â
But this offseason, “It's awesome just to see a guy that works that hard and cares that much about the game,†Nootbaar said Sunday. “I think it goes kind of unnoticed sometimes and unappreciated. The guy, he’s a psycho, for lack of a better term. He lives and breathes baseball. And for me, ... it's inspiring because I'm like, ‘I don't have to feel a certain way about wanting to get better because this guy is always doing that.’ ...
“Working with Nolan this offseason, obviously he's probably the best player this century to be able to pull ball in the air successfully at efficient angles. So it's working with him and listening to him and trying to try to get better at that. I'm trying to hone that skill that he's got down so well. That's something I've been working on this offseason.â€
Last year, Nootbaar played outfield for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. For ºüÀêÊÓƵ, the outfielder hit .261 with a .784 OPS in 117 games.
Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar talks with the media Sunday at Winter Warm-up and discusses his GQ award in Japan and being present as teams courted Yoshi Yamamoto only to see him sign with the Dodgers.
Photos: Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up continues Sunday
Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker leans over the table to talk with 9-year-old Jase Sheppard, of Springfield, Ill., on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, after signing a pledge card at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-up at Ballpark Village.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar speaks to the media on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-up at Busch Stadium.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn, center, poses for a selfie with fans Matt, left, and Tate Houchin, 8, of Vincennes, Ind., on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, after signing an autograph at the Cardinals Care Winter Warm-up at Ballpark Village.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Mason Cooper, 9, of Glendale, waits in line with is father, Zac, on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, to see Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-up at Ballpark Village.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Former Cardinal and current coach Bernard Gilkey talks to baseball fans on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Busch Stadium. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Nine-year-old Easton Pobst of Jackson, Mo. gets some items signed by former Cardinal and current coach Bernard Gilkey on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Busch Stadium. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Aubrey Oder,11, gets an item signed by ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal infielder Brendan Donovan on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Famous Cardinal jersey's are up for sale on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in the vendor area of the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Busch Stadium. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal outfielder Jordan Walker signs a pledge card for a fan on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals outfield prospect Victor Scott II signs a small helmet for 6-year-old Emmy Horvath, of Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the Cardinals Winter Warm-up event at Ballpark Village.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Jake Johnson, 8, of Quincy, Il., left, gets a baseball card signed by former ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal Bo Hart on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal infielder Masyn Winn signs autographs for fans on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Signed baseballs are up for sale on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in the vendor area of the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Busch Stadium. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Famous Cardinal jersey's are up for sale on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in the vendor area of the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Busch Stadium. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Pieces from Busch Stadium are up for sale on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in the vendor area of the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Busch Stadium. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal mascot Fredbird makes a fan disappear on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, while milling about the crowd at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal outfielder Jordan Walker signs a base for Jeff Crisel of Carlyle, Il. on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. The base was from one of Jordan's milestones from his record-breaking rookie season. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Nolan Horvath of Nashville, Tn., right, gets his helmet back from ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal infielder Brendan Donovan on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, after getting it signed at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Donovan gave Horvath advice on becoming a good baseball player: constantly work to improve on your weaknesses. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal outfielder Jordan Walker poses for a selfie with Corey, left, and Cohen Haney of Wentzville on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal shortstop Masyn Winn signs a jersey with his name and number on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker returns a photo after signing it for a fan on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-up at Ballpark Village.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Nine-year-old Cardinal fan Morgan Geiler gets a ball signed by Cardinal shortstop Masyn Winn on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal fans attend the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn, left, poses for a photo with 5-year-old fan Graham Knopp, of Lake Saint Louis, on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, as his father, Chris Knopp, takes the photo at the Cardinals Care Winter Warm-up at Ballpark Village.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Nine-year-old Cardinal fan Mason Cooper of Glendale gets a bat signed by Cardinal shortstop Masyn Winn on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal shortstop Masyn Winn returns a baseball card of himself to Emmerick Merkel, 9, of Edwardsville on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, after signing it at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal pitchers John King and Andre Pallante answer questions from kids on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, during the kids only player press conference at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Eight-year-old Murphy Unger of Edwardsville listens to an answer after asking a question of ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal pitchers John King and Andre Pallante on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, during the kids only player press conference at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinal outfielder Jordan Walker signs autographs for fans on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the 27th Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up at Ballpark Village. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
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