Brendan Donovan Drawing Heavy Trade Interest - Could a Move to Kansas City Be on Deck?
The St. Louis Cardinals have already made headlines this offseason, shipping ace Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox in a bold early move.
But Gray might not be the only major piece on the way out. The trade chatter hasn’t slowed down, and if there’s one name that keeps popping up in conversations around the league, it’s Brendan Donovan.
Donovan, 28, has quietly become one of the most sought-after players on the trade market. More than 15 teams have reportedly checked in on his availability - and it’s not hard to see why.
With a career slash line of .282/.361/.411 and a 117 OPS+, Donovan brings a rare blend of on-base ability, contact skills, and positional versatility. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just fill a hole - he gives a team options.
He’s under team control through 2027, which only adds to his value. He can play second base, third, both corner outfield spots, and even step in at shortstop in a pinch. In today’s game, where roster flexibility is gold, Donovan is the kind of Swiss Army knife that contenders covet.
Teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Guardians are all logical fits. But one club that’s emerging as a particularly intriguing landing spot? The Kansas City Royals.
The Royals are looking to take a step forward, and Donovan checks just about every box on their wish list. In 2025, Kansas City’s corner outfielders ranked dead last in bWAR.
Their second basemen didn’t fare much better, finishing 23rd in the league. That’s a glaring need - and Donovan is exactly the kind of player who could help stabilize that lineup.
He wouldn’t be coming into a vacuum, either. With Bobby Witt Jr. blossoming into one of the game’s brightest young stars and Vinnie Pasquantino providing left-handed thump at first base, the Royals have a budding core.
What they need now is glue - a player who can move around the diamond, get on base, and extend innings. That’s Brendan Donovan.
And here’s where things get interesting: Donovan and Pasquantino were recently spotted working out together in the offseason. The Royals’ first baseman posted a photo on Instagram showing the two in the batting cages. The location wasn’t disclosed, but Pasquantino, a Virginia native, has been spending time back home this offseason.
Now, let’s be clear - offseason workouts between players on different teams are nothing new. Spots like Driveline, Tread, and Cressey Sports Performance are year-round homes for players from across the league.
But when trade rumors are already swirling and a player like Donovan is shown training with a guy from a team that could use him? It’s the kind of thing that gets fans talking.
Donovan and Pasquantino do have a shared history, even if it’s not direct. Both spent time with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the Cape Cod Baseball League - Donovan in 2017, Pasquantino in 2018. So there’s some overlap there, and it’s clear there’s a connection between the two.
As a player still in arbitration, Donovan doesn’t have control over where he ends up. But that doesn’t mean he’s voiceless in the process.
If he were to express a preference, it’s possible the Cardinals’ front office - now led by Chaim Bloom - would take that into account. A move to Kansas City wouldn’t be a massive relocation either, just a few hours west down I-70.
For now, Donovan remains a Cardinal. But with the level of interest he’s drawing, that could change quickly.
Whether it’s the Royals or another contender, it’s clear that Brendan Donovan is one of the most valuable trade chips on the market this winter - and the next move from St. Louis could be just around the corner.