The trade winds are blowing again in the NL Central, and this time, it’s the St. Louis Cardinals stirring the pot.
Over the weekend, the Cardinals shipped All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners as part of a three-team deal that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays. It's a move that not only reshapes the Mariners’ infield but also has ripple effects across the division-particularly for the Chicago Cubs.
Here’s why this matters: Donovan had been one of the most sought-after names on the trade market this offseason, with teams eyeing his versatility and high-contact bat. The Cubs, meanwhile, have been fielding calls on their own infielders-namely Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw-but haven’t pulled the trigger on anything. Now, with Donovan off the board, the Cubs’ leverage just got a whole lot stronger.
Earlier in the offseason, there were whispers linking both Hoerner and Donovan to the San Francisco Giants. That connection only grew louder after the Cubs signed Alex Bregman, creating a bit of a logjam in their infield and sparking trade speculation. But those rumors cooled quickly once the Giants landed Luis Arraez, effectively taking them out of the running for any more high-end infielders.
That left the Seattle Mariners as one of the last serious suitors for Hoerner-until now. By acquiring Donovan, Seattle likely takes itself out of the Hoerner sweepstakes, further signaling that the Cubs may be content to hold onto their Gold Glove second baseman. And given how president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer typically operates-always listening, rarely rushing-it wouldn’t be a surprise if Hoerner stays put.
But that doesn’t mean the Cubs are done dealing.
If anything, this latest move could put Matt Shaw in the spotlight. The 24-year-old infielder turned heads with a strong second half in 2025, flashing the kind of upside that teams covet. He’s under team control through 2031, and while the Cubs don’t need to move him, the timing might be right if the right offer comes along.
Enter the Boston Red Sox.
After losing out on Bregman to the Cubs, Boston is still in the market for an infield upgrade. They’ve shown little interest in power bats like Eugenio Suárez, and the buzz is that they’re prioritizing defense. That makes someone like Shaw-who brings athleticism, range, and upside-a much better fit than a slugger like Isaac Paredes.
With Donovan now off the market, Shaw becomes one of the most attractive young infielders potentially available via trade. And if Hoerner is off-limits-or at least carrying a price tag similar to what the Cubs gave up for Kyle Tucker-then Shaw becomes the next logical target for teams willing to pay a premium.
Bottom line: the Cubs are sitting in a position of strength. Whether they choose to deal Hoerner, Shaw, or stand pat entirely, they now control a key piece of the infield trade market. And with contenders still hunting for upgrades, don’t be surprised if Chicago’s phone keeps ringing.