The San Francisco Giants may be circling back to the St. Louis Cardinals with serious intent - and if they’re willing to put top prospect Josuar Gonzalez on the table, things could get real interesting, real fast.
Let’s break this down.
According to recent reports, the Giants were ready to include Gonzalez - a highly touted teenage shortstop - in a trade package for Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams. That deal didn’t materialize, reportedly because Washington wasn’t budging. But now, with spring training around the corner and urgency building, San Francisco might pivot toward another target they’ve been eyeing all offseason: Cardinals All-Star Brendan Donovan.
If Gonzalez is truly in play, the Cardinals might finally get the kind of offer they’ve been holding out for.
Why Gonzalez matters
Gonzalez isn’t just another name in the system - he’s a legit talent with sky-high upside. Baseball America recently ranked him as the No. 30 overall prospect in the game. That’s elite company.
He just turned 18 this offseason and spent his age-17 season in the Dominican Summer League, where he slashed .288/.404/.455 across 228 plate appearances. He’s got plus-plus speed and fielding tools, a strong arm, and early signs of a quality hit tool.
The power is still developing, but that’s expected at this stage. Baseball America slapped a 65-grade on him - with the caveat of high risk, of course, because he’s still years away from the majors.
But the potential? It’s star-level.
Why Donovan fits what the Giants need
San Francisco’s been hunting for a second baseman all winter. They’ve reportedly had talks about both Donovan and the Cubs’ Nico Hoerner, and while nothing has landed yet, the heat is turning up. Donovan, in particular, checks a lot of boxes.
He’s versatile, he gets on base, and he’s been one of the most quietly productive players in the league since debuting in 2022. While CJ Abrams may have the flashier tools and an extra year of club control, Donovan’s been the more consistent and valuable player to date.
Let’s look at the numbers: Donovan owns a career 119 wRC+ compared to Abrams’ 97. In terms of overall value, Donovan’s racked up 10.1 fWAR in fewer games (492) than Abrams (523), who sits at 6.9 fWAR. And while Abrams plays shortstop - a premium position - Donovan’s defensive versatility and steady bat make him a plug-and-play asset for any contending team.
Why the Cardinals are holding firm
Chaim Bloom, now leading the Cardinals’ baseball operations, has made it clear: he’s not giving Donovan away. At Winter Warm-Up this past weekend, Bloom reiterated that while a trade is becoming less likely as spring training approaches, the door isn’t shut.
If a team meets the asking price, he’ll listen. And with Gonzalez potentially in the mix, the Giants might be getting close.
This isn’t about desperation - it’s about leverage. The Cardinals know they have a valuable piece in Donovan, and with multiple teams (including the Red Sox and Mariners) still in the market for a second baseman, Bloom can afford to wait for the right offer.
What’s next?
San Francisco’s interest in Donovan isn’t new, but their willingness to include Gonzalez would mark a shift in tone - from interested to aggressive. They’ve already shown they’re willing to go big for the right player, and if they struck out on Abrams, Donovan might be next in line.
The question now is whether the Giants are ready to meet the Cardinals’ price. If they are, we could be looking at one of the more impactful trades of the offseason - one that sends a rising star prospect to St. Louis and an All-Star second baseman to a Giants team looking to make noise in the NL West.
For now, the clock is ticking. Spring training is just around the corner. And both teams have decisions to make.