The St. Louis Cardinals are approaching a pivotal offseason, one that will mark the beginning of a new era under incoming president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. His mandate is clear: steer the franchise back on course and reignite fan enthusiasm at Busch Stadium.
Among Bloom’s most pressing tasks will be making tough calls on the futures of several core players. The spotlight is brightest on Nolan Arenado, whose status could define the club’s direction, but he’s not the only trade chip that could bring back meaningful value. Multiple roster decisions loom, each with the potential to reshape the Cardinals as they look to rebound and retool.
Brendan Donovan has quickly endeared himself to Cardinals fans, and with good reason. The versatile All-Star is putting together one of the finest campaigns of his career, batting .287/.354/.421 with 10 homers and 49 RBIs across 117 games.
Still, his future in St. Louis may not be guaranteed. As FanSided’s Mark Powell points out, Donovan could fetch a strong return if shopped on the trade market — something the Cardinals could use as they look to restock their farm system. “Trading their lone All-Star would be a tough sell by Bloom to the fanbase, but if it comes with a solid prospect haul and the right messaging, it’s a move the Cardinals must consider. The Cards’ roster doesn’t offer many impressive trade assets, as the vast majority of the moves discussed are little more than salary dumps. Dealing Donovan would bring back something of value and eventual MLB-ready talent.”
Given his ability to play virtually every position, Donovan offers tremendous value as a utility man. That versatility makes him an attractive option for contending teams in search of a reliable and productive piece who can contribute all over the diamond.