Cardinals Notebook: Donovan, Wetherholt, Winn and Herrera Updates

The St. Louis Cardinals are heading into a crucial stretch of their rebuild, and there are plenty of roster questions hanging over spring training. From the endless trade rumors swirling around Brendan Donovan to the status of top prospect JJ Wetherholt, plus health updates on Masyn Winn and Ivan Herrera, the front office is walking a tightrope between patience and urgency as they try to reshape the team’s core.

Brendan Donovan and the Trade Market

Brendan Donovan’s name seems to pop up everywhere in St. Louis this offseason. He’s a versatile infielder with a solid resume, and he’s right at the center of trade chatter as the Cardinals look to shake up their roster. President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said he’d “ideally” like to have some clarity on Donovan’s future by the end of spring training, but he didn’t sound like he’s in a rush.

Why the Cardinals Can Afford to Wait

Donovan isn’t a typical trade chip since he’s under arbitration control through 2027. That gives the Cardinals a lot of leverage—they don’t have to force anything. With Nolan Arenado now gone, third base is wide open for young players, which eases some of the pressure. They can sit tight and wait for a big offer, especially since Donovan can play all over and fits well on a contender.

JJ Wetherholt’s Push for Opening Day

JJ Wetherholt, the team’s top prospect, could shake things up for Donovan. After a breakout first professional season, he’s very much in the mix for an Opening Day roster spot.

A Bat That Forces the Issue

Wetherholt’s bat is hard to ignore. In Triple-A, he slashed .314/.416/.562 and racked up 17 home runs with 23 steals over 496 plate appearances. That’s a rare combo of power, patience, and speed—he looks just about ready for the big leagues.

Defensive Versatility as a Key Factor

He’s not just a hitter, either. Wetherholt can handle shortstop, second, and third. Manager Oliver Marmol likes that flexibility, and people in the organization have praised his glove and attitude. There’s a catch, though: how quickly can he settle in at third base? That might be his best shot at early playing time.

Masyn Winn and a Clean Bill of Health

The Cardinals got some good news on shortstop Masyn Winn. Even though he played through a partial meniscus tear in 2025, Winn still won a Gold Glove, which just adds to his reputation as an elite defender.

Looking Ahead to Spring Training

Winn had arthroscopic surgery back in September, and now he’s reportedly at full strength for spring. That gives the Cardinals some stability in the middle infield, so they can take their time figuring out what to do with Wetherholt and Donovan.

Ivan Herrera’s Role Could Shape the Roster

Keep an eye on Ivan Herrera, too. The catcher had surgery in October to remove a bone spur, but he’s already throwing again and should start hitting, blocking, and receiving drills soon.

Catching Depth and Roster Implications

If Herrera can get back behind the plate, even part-time, it changes a lot. But if he’s stuck at designated hitter, the Cardinals would probably need to carry two other catchers with Pedro Pagés, and maybe Yohel Pozo or Jimmy Crooks. If Herrera is good to catch:

Spring Training as the Final Evaluator

Bloom and Marmol have both said that spring training and early regular-season reps will decide roster roles in the end.

Wetherholt and Herrera’s defensive readiness stands out, since it could affect not just Opening Day, but the whole direction of the Cardinals’ rebuild.

The franchise wants flexibility and long-term upside, but honestly, the next few weeks might matter more than anyone’s letting on.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Cardinals Notes: Donovan, Wetherholt, Winn, Herrera