The St. Louis Cardinals are heading into the Winter Meetings with a clear mindset: change is coming.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the front office appears ready to shake things up-and that could mean a flurry of trades. But if you're eyeing Brendan Donovan in all this, pump the brakes.
Moving him won’t come cheap.
Donovan, who represented the Cardinals as their lone All-Star this past season, is one of the most sought-after names on the trade market. Teams across the league have taken notice of his breakout year and multi-positional value.
But according to league sources, St. Louis isn’t exactly eager to let him go.
Unless a team comes in with a blockbuster offer-something that truly turns heads-the Cardinals are more likely to hold onto him.
And it’s easy to see why.
Donovan just wrapped up the best season of his young career. In 118 games, he hit .287 with 10 home runs and 53 RBIs.
That’s solid production from a guy who can bounce between the infield and outfield without missing a beat. Over his four years in the big leagues, he's posted a .282 average with 40 homers, 202 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.
That kind of consistency, paired with his versatility, makes him a dream fit for just about any contender.
But it’s not just about what Donovan has done-it’s about what he can still do. He’s under team control through the 2027 season, which gives any acquiring team at least two more full years of a reliable, everyday contributor. That’s a major asset in today’s game, where cost-controlled talent is gold.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, there’s a strategic crossroads here. They know Donovan’s timeline might not align with their next real shot at contention.
Multiple sources inside the organization acknowledge that the team may not be ready to compete at a high level before Donovan hits free agency. That opens the door for a potential trade-but only if the return is too good to pass up.
So yes, the Cardinals are listening. But they’re not desperate.
This isn’t a case of unloading salary or moving a player just for the sake of change. If Donovan is dealt, it’ll be because a team stepped up with an offer that meets the moment.
Until then, expect his name to keep surfacing in trade chatter. He’s the kind of player who gets GMs picking up the phone.
But unless someone’s willing to pay a king’s ransom, Brendan Donovan is staying put in St. Louis-for now.