Brendan Donovan, Second Baseman | St. Louis Cardinals
Brendan Donovan, Second Baseman | St. Louis Cardinals
This story was excerpted from John Denton's Cardinals Beat newsletter.
The St. Louis Cardinals are considering trading Brendan Donovan before the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline. The deadline is set for July 31 at 6 p.m. ET. The team is exploring what kind of prospects Donovan could command in a potential deal, even though he is considered the "heartbeat" and "driving force" of the team.
Donovan, 28, has been a key player for the Cardinals this season, contributing significantly to their success in the NL Wild Card chase. He currently ranks high in several statistical categories within the National League and is highly respected by his teammates.
Despite his value, there is interest from other teams due to his versatility and past achievements, such as winning a Gold Glove as a rookie. Teams like the Astros and Yankees are reportedly looking for players with skills similar to Donovan's.
John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations for the Cardinals, emphasized that the team must consider all offers that could benefit their future. “If there’s something that seems too good to be true, of course we have to listen,” Mozeliak said.
The decision on whether to trade Donovan also involves considerations about long-term investments in players nearing free agency. Past trends show that homegrown players often leave before reaching free-agent salaries after arbitration hearings.
Additionally, JJ Wetherholt, seen as the second baseman of the future for the Cardinals, is performing well at Triple-A Memphis and might soon join the main roster.
While losing Donovan would impact their current playoff chances negatively, trading him might align with rebuilding efforts for a stronger future lineup.
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