The Guardians have been relatively quiet this offseason, and with each passing day, the opportunities to bolster their roster are narrowing. Free agents are finding new homes, trade targets are coming off the board, and clubs across the league are starting to lock in their plans for 2026.
But one team that’s still very much in flux? The St.
Louis Cardinals.
After dealing Willson Contreras to the Red Sox and moving Sonny Gray, the Cardinals are clearly in the midst of a retooling phase under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. And they’re not done yet. Veterans like Lars Nootbaar, Nolan Arenado, Alec Burleson, and Brendan Donovan are all reportedly available in trade discussions - and one of those names should be of particular interest to Cleveland.
Brendan Donovan checks a lot of boxes for the Guardians. He brings positional versatility, left-handed pop, and a contact-first approach that would slot in nicely on a team still searching for offensive identity.
He’s capable of playing both second base and the outfield - two areas where Cleveland could use immediate help. But if the Guardians want to make a serious run at Donovan, they might have to pay a steep price.
That became clearer this week when Donovan spoke with reporters and offered some insight into the Cardinals’ offseason direction. The headline?
St. Louis is actively seeking right-handed hitting outfielders - both via trade and free agency.
And that’s a wrinkle that doesn’t work in Cleveland’s favor.
Right now, the Guardians have just one right-handed hitting outfielder on their roster. That’s not just a problem in terms of roster balance - it’s also a disadvantage in trade talks with a team like the Cardinals, who are specifically targeting that profile. It doesn’t rule out a Donovan deal entirely, but it does mean Cleveland might have to get creative - or aggressive - to make it happen.
That likely means parting with young, controllable pitching. Left-handers like Parker Messick or Joey Cantillo could be names that come up in talks, especially if the Guardians can’t match the Cardinals’ needs with big-league ready bats.
There hasn’t been much recent reporting tying Cleveland directly to Donovan, but earlier this offseason, ESPN’s Jeff Passan called him a strong fit for the Guardians - and that still holds up. Donovan’s ability to play multiple positions would give manager Stephen Vogt some much-needed flexibility. He could serve as a bridge at second base until top prospect Travis Bazzana is ready, and he’d be a steady presence in an outfield mix that includes promising but unproven names like Chase DeLauter and George Valera.
And Donovan isn’t just a utility guy - he’s a legitimate contributor. In 2025, he hit .287 with 10 homers over 118 games, earning his first All-Star nod.
The year before, he posted a .278 average with 14 home runs and 73 RBI across 152 games. That’s the kind of consistent production the Guardians could use, especially in a lineup that still lacks a clear middle-of-the-order threat.
So far, Cleveland’s only offensive additions this winter have been re-signing Austin Hedges on a one-year deal and bringing in outfielder Stuart Fairchild on a minor league contract. In other words, they’ve yet to make a real splash - and adding Donovan would certainly qualify.
But with the Cardinals shopping for right-handed bats and the Guardians short on that exact commodity, a deal might require more than just interest. It could take one of their top young arms - or a creative multi-team trade - to get something done.
The fit is there. The need is clear. But for Cleveland to land Brendan Donovan, they may have to step outside their comfort zone.