The St. Louis Cardinals continue to reshape their roster this offseason as they aim to reduce payroll and build for the future under new baseball operations head Chaim Bloom. After sending Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Cardinals’ major offseason transaction work is nearing completion, with Brendan Donovan representing the last key player on the trading block. The team is expected to trade Donovan to close out their extensive roster restructuring.
Trade rumors surrounding Brendan Donovan have intensified this winter, with the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants both reportedly expressing interest. Both clubs have a need at second base, making Donovan an attractive addition. While the Cardinals are likely eager to move Donovan, management will be focused on securing the strongest possible return in prospects or players.
Red Sox and Giants Emerge as Leading Teams Interested in Donovan
The Cardinals have already conducted trades with the Boston Red Sox this offseason, leveraging Bloom’s previous connections from his time in Boston. This relationship has resulted in deals involving players like Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras. Acquiring talent from familiar pipelines remains a strategic advantage for the Cardinals, but diversifying trade partners could bring fresh prospects into the organization.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants, despite already having high-salary infielders Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman, continue to seek depth at second base. Donovan’s defensive skills and solid bat would bolster the Giants’ lineup, though his costs could be significant. His contract also provides two years of team control, increasing his value to contender teams such as San Francisco.
Donovan’s defensive prowess and potential to outperform his salary make him a fitting option for the Giants, especially given their offense does not focus heavily on home run totals. For the Red Sox, Donovan could serve as a solution amid challenges with players like Kristian Campbell, offering reliable infield defense and offense as a stopgap measure.
Other Available Cardinals Players Could Also Be Moved
While Donovan is the centerpiece of the Cardinals’ trade ambitions, he is not the only player available. Alec Burleson, a 27-year-old versatile player with a strong bat, also has trade value despite being under team control until 2029. Burleson’s ability to contribute both offensively and defensively makes him an appealing asset for teams looking to strengthen their roster immediately or build for the future.
The competition within the National League Central is intensifying as the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds all reached the postseason last year, with emerging teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates boasting the reigning Cy Young Award winner, Paul Skenes. This growing competitiveness places additional pressure on the Cardinals to capitalize on Donovan and Burleson trades to position themselves for future success.
Potential Impact and What the Cardinals Could Gain
If the Cardinals manage to maximize the return on these trades, especially by acquiring promising prospects, this offseason could mark a pivotal moment in the franchise’s trajectory. Bloom’s track record with the Tampa Bay Rays, including orchestrating the Chris Archer trade that secured Tyler Glasnow and propelled the Rays to the 2020 pennant, suggests the Cardinals could accelerate their rebuild if they handle these moves wisely.
Among potential landing spots, the Giants appear to be the prime destination for Donovan. The team’s efforts to compete within the NL West against powerhouses like the Los Angeles Dodgers underline the importance of strengthening their infield, and Donovan offers an effective, cost-controlled solution.
“Bloom used to run the Red Sox and targeted Craig Breslow’s squad in trades involving Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras.” ?Anonymous source
“Donovan would help flesh out their infield and their lineup, but would not be cheap.” ?Anonymous source
“Donovan has two years of team control left, making him a valuable asset for any championship contender.” ?Anonymous source
“If the Cardinals could make the most out of the prospects they trade for this offseason, this could be a seminal offseason.” ?Anonymous source
