Cardinals Exploring Trade Options for All-Star Brendan Donovan

The St. Louis Cardinals are entering the offseason with an eye toward reshaping their roster, and one key player on the move could be utility man Brendan Donovan. Donovan, an All-Star contributor, has drawn interest from multiple teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to MLB Trade Rumors. The Cardinals are weighing options to extract value from their veteran players as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 78-84 finish in 2025.

Pittsburgh, a division rival, could be a logical destination despite in-division trades being relatively uncommon. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has previously negotiated with St. Louis, most notably on a 2022 trade involving Jose Quintana and Johan Oviedo, which makes Donovan a plausible target for the rebuilding Pirates.

The Cardinals are particularly interested in teams that can offer pitching depth, a strength of the Pirates. With a strong young rotation led by National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh has surplus arms that could appeal to St. Louis as they look to add roster pieces elsewhere.

In addition to the Pirates, other teams reportedly exploring Donovan include the New York Yankees, World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Kansas City Royals. Donovan’s versatility and experience make him a valuable commodity for clubs aiming to strengthen both offense and defense.

1. Pirates as a Trade Partner

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ roster needs align well with what Donovan and other Cardinals outfielders could provide. With one of the strongest young rotations in baseball, Pittsburgh’s main weakness has been its offense, finishing near the bottom of MLB in most categories in 2025. Adding Donovan could address those deficiencies, giving the Pirates a versatile bat and defensive flexibility. His ability to play multiple positions would also provide depth to a lineup that struggled with consistency last season. Pittsburgh’s willingness to deal from its pitching surplus makes it an attractive partner for the Cardinals, who could receive several promising arms in return. Such a trade could help St. Louis rebuild while staying competitive in the National League Central. Past trades between the two teams have been smooth, establishing trust that could facilitate a deal this offseason. This history of cooperation could make a potential Donovan trade more likely than the typical in-division swap.

2. Other Teams Expressing Interest

Beyond the Pirates, Donovan is reportedly drawing attention from high-profile franchises like the Yankees and Dodgers. Both clubs could use his defensive versatility and offensive contributions to round out their rosters for postseason runs. The Kansas City Royals have also engaged with St. Louis regarding Donovan, highlighting his broad market appeal. Teams across MLB recognize the value of a player who can impact multiple positions while providing leadership and experience. Donovan’s potential trade represents part of a larger Cardinals strategy to refresh their roster after an underwhelming season. Alongside him, starting pitcher Sonny Gray is another veteran who could be moved as the team seeks balance between experience and youth. Adding value in trades this offseason is expected to be a priority for St. Louis as it looks to return to contention in the coming seasons.

3. Potential Impact on Cardinals’ Roster and Team Dynamics

Trading Donovan would have a ripple effect on the Cardinals’ roster, opening opportunities for younger players to step into more prominent roles. His versatility and leadership make him a key figure in the clubhouse, and his departure would shift both offensive and defensive responsibilities. St. Louis would likely rely more heavily on players like Lars Nootbaar and emerging prospects to fill the void Donovan leaves. This could accelerate the development of younger talent while giving the team flexibility to reshape its lineup for the future. Veteran presence in the clubhouse is always valuable, and losing Donovan would require the team to adjust both on the field and off it. The Cardinals’ leadership and coaching staff will need to manage that transition carefully to maintain team cohesion. Ultimately, moving Donovan could be a strategic step in balancing veteran experience with youth, providing long-term flexibility while still addressing immediate roster needs.