When it comes to the MLB offseason, every move is a domino. One signing here, one trade there, and suddenly the entire landscape shifts.
Sometimes it’s obvious - a superstar signs and the market reacts. Other times, it’s the quieter, behind-the-scenes moves that create the biggest ripple effects.
Case in point: the New York Mets’ recent flurry of activity may have quietly pulled them out of the Brendan Donovan sweepstakes - and that has implications for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Let’s unpack what happened.
According to reports, the Mets had Brendan Donovan on their radar as a potential trade target, but only if a few other pieces didn’t fall into place. When they missed out on Kyle Tucker in free agency, they pivoted to Bo Bichette, landing the star shortstop to solidify their infield.
That alone would’ve been a significant move. But they weren’t done - they followed that up by acquiring right-hander Freddy Peralta in a blockbuster trade, further reshaping their roster.
That one-two punch - Bichette and Peralta - effectively took the Mets out of the running for Donovan. Had those deals not materialized, the Mets were reportedly prepared to pursue Donovan as their solution in left field while also targeting Chris Bassitt or Zac Gallen to deepen their rotation. But once Bichette and Peralta were secured, Donovan became more of a luxury than a necessity.
Now, the Mets hadn’t been one of the more public suitors for Donovan. Most of the buzz this offseason has centered around teams like the Mariners, Giants, Red Sox, and Royals - all of whom have been linked to the Cardinals’ versatile infielder.
But the Mets? They’d been lurking in the background, quietly monitoring the situation, ready to pounce if their Plan A didn’t come together.
It’s unclear what the Mets would’ve offered for Donovan, but we do know what they gave up for Peralta and swingman Tobias Meyers: two of their top prospects, infielder Jett Williams and right-hander Brandon Sproat. That’s a hefty price tag.
Donovan, who offers one more year of team control than Peralta, might’ve commanded a slightly different package, but the value would’ve been comparable. Still, Peralta’s 2025 campaign - which earned him a fifth-place finish in Cy Young voting - made him a high-impact acquisition, the kind of frontline arm that can anchor a rotation.
The ripple effect here is real. With the Mets now out of the picture, the Cardinals lose a potential leverage point in Donovan negotiations.
And as spring training looms, that leverage becomes more important than ever. Teams are feeling the clock tick.
Front offices are trying to finalize rosters, and players like Donovan - versatile, controllable, and productive - are in high demand.
There’s also a bit of a what-if factor here. Had the Phillies landed Bichette, as they reportedly hoped to, maybe the Mets wouldn’t have had that pivot option.
Maybe Donovan ends up in Queens. Maybe Peralta is still in Milwaukee.
That’s the beauty - and chaos - of the MLB offseason. One team’s move can completely reshape another’s strategy.
So while Donovan didn’t end up in New York, the Mets’ involvement - or near-involvement - still matters. It’s another layer in a complex offseason puzzle, and it shows just how interconnected these moves really are.
For the Cardinals, the market for Donovan is still active. But the Mets?
They made their moves - and in doing so, they may have shifted the course of another team’s offseason.