St. Louis Cardinals utilityman Brendan Donovan is drawing trade interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and several other teams, according to The Athletic’s Katie Woo. The Cardinals remain open to trade discussions but are demanding a very high price for Donovan, who is arbitration-controlled through the 2027 season, making a deal less probable at this time.
Cardinals Prioritize Pitcher Trades While Position Player Deals Remain Limited
The Cardinals are primarily focused on moving pitchers ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. Potential candidates include Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, Steven Matz, and Miles Mikolas, all of whom will become free agents after the season. Erick Fedde also fits this group, though he is on waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week. Conversations around position players like Donovan, Ivan Herrera, Alec Burleson, and Lars Nootbaar are more cautious and tentative.
The Athletic reports the Cardinals’ front office
“will not part with one of their position players unless they are blown away by the offer, and their conversations have not progressed past initial check-ins.”
This selective approach limits the chances of a trade involving Donovan or other position players unless an extraordinary proposal emerges.
Background on Donovan’s Trade Rumors and Cardinals’ Infield Depth
Donovan has appeared in trade rumors multiple times during his MLB career, with the Yankees’ interest reportedly dating back to the 2023-24 offseason. The Cardinals’ depth of versatile middle infielders has drawn attention from rival teams, as St. Louis has frequently fielded multiple multi-positional players in recent years. A significant example is last year’s trade deadline swap, which saw Tommy Edman sent to the Dodgers as part of a three-team deal with the White Sox. That trade proved notable since Edman and Michael Kopech played major roles in Los Angeles’ World Series title run.
Donovan’s On-Field Performance and Versatility Support His Value
Entering his fourth MLB season, Donovan made an immediate impact, finishing third in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 and securing the league’s first utility Gold Glove. This season, he is batting .293/.360/.428 with nine home runs over 423 plate appearances, demonstrating consistent offensive contributions primarily against right-handed pitchers. His expected weighted on-base average (.363 xwOBA) suggests room for even better production beyond his current weighted on-base average (.344 wOBA).
Donovan’s approach does not yield much solid contact, but he is known for being one of the toughest hitters to strike out in the league. Beyond offense, his defensive flexibility greatly enhances his value, having spent most of his playing time at second base and left field while also covering other infield spots and right field.
Why Brendan Donovan Fits Well with the Dodgers’ Roster Needs
The Dodgers’ interest in Donovan aligns with their specific roster objectives. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Los Angeles is looking to add a left-handed hitting outfielder, which fits Donovan’s profile perfectly. His ability to play second base would allow the Dodgers to deploy Tommy Edman primarily as an outfielder, while Andy Pages could shift from center to a corner outfield position. With Max Muncy set to return from the injured list within weeks, Donovan could also serve as a valuable stopgap at third base during Muncy’s absence.
Los Angeles may pursue a trade involving both a versatile position player and a bullpen arm. Since the Dodgers have been linked to Ryan Helsley’s trade availability, there remains speculation that they could attempt to acquire both Helsley and Donovan in a single deal, addressing two key needs simultaneously. This could justify offering one of their higher-rated prospects, though the team remains cautious about trading Dalton Rushing or Alex Freeland for now.
Yankees Reevaluate Donovan’s Role Following Ryan McMahon Acquisition
Although New York showed previous interest in Donovan, the Yankees may have shifted priorities after acquiring Ryan McMahon, a left-handed hitting third baseman, from the Rockies. This move appears to meet their needs for a left-handed bat, leading them to now focus on adding right-handed hitters. Donovan might still be considered a luxury option if the Yankees were to reshape their lineup for balance, but their present direction suggests less immediate urgency to pursue him.
Long-Term Control and Cardinals’ Trade Strategy
Donovan, Nootbaar, Burleson, and Herrera are all under team control through at least 2027, with Burleson controlled through 2028 and Herrera through 2029. Their extended contractual security reinforces the Cardinals’ reluctance to deal these players, especially with St. Louis only 1.5 games behind a wild card spot. The organization prefers to move impending free agent pitchers to address current needs while staying competitive, positioning the club as both a buyer and seller as the July deadline approaches.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How many errors does Brendan Donovan have?
A. Made only seven mistakes over 854.1 innings, with 49 double plays and four outfield assists, achieving a .982 fielding percentage. Saved nine runs defensively—eight at third base, ranking tied for sixth among MLB players. Started in 16 or more games each at second base (32) and third base (21).