The Boston Red Sox are clearly in the market for impact talent this offseason, and one name that’s starting to gain traction in league circles is Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals. While the Cardinals aren’t actively shopping the 28-year-old utility man, there’s growing buzz that he could be on the move - and Boston is among the teams keeping close tabs on the situation.
What makes Donovan such an intriguing fit for the Red Sox? It starts with versatility.
This is a player who doesn’t just plug holes - he fills them with quality. Donovan has logged innings all over the diamond: second base, third base, shortstop, both corner outfield spots, and even first base when needed.
That kind of flexibility isn’t just a luxury; it’s a weapon, especially for a Boston club that’s looking to tighten up defensively while adding more offensive consistency.
Donovan’s profile is the kind of blend that front offices covet: a high-contact bat with sneaky gap power, an All-Star nod in 2025, and a Gold Glove on his résumé from 2022. That tells you he’s not just a utility guy - he’s a high-level contributor who can slot into multiple roles and still bring value at the plate and in the field.
Last season, Donovan hit .287 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs for the Cardinals. Those numbers don’t jump off the page in the way a 40-homer slugger might, but they underscore a player who knows how to put together quality at-bats and keep the line moving. He’s the kind of hitter who can lead off or slide into the middle of the order depending on what the lineup needs on a given day.
From a roster-building standpoint, Donovan also checks key boxes for the Red Sox. He’s arbitration-eligible and under team control through 2027, which gives Boston some long-term flexibility if they were to pull the trigger on a deal. With the team still shaping its identity under new leadership, a player like Donovan - who brings both stability and upside - could be a foundational piece, not just a stopgap.
The Cardinals, for their part, aren’t in a rush to move Donovan. But with new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom reshaping the roster, almost no one is considered untouchable. And as trade talks heat up across the league, Donovan is being viewed by multiple contenders as one of the more attractive, attainable options on the market.
Boston isn’t alone in its interest. Teams like the Dodgers, Mariners, Yankees, Pirates, Giants, Royals, and Guardians are all reportedly in the mix. That kind of competition could drive up the asking price, but it also reflects just how highly teams regard Donovan’s all-around game.
If the Red Sox are serious about retooling their roster with players who bring both production and positional flexibility, Brendan Donovan could be a name to watch closely. He’s not a blockbuster headline grabber - but he’s exactly the kind of player who helps good teams become great.