Two Unlikely Trades Might Keep Brendan Donovan with Cardinals

This article takes a closer look at why Brendan Donovan, once seen as one of the hottest trade chips of the MLB offseason, is still with the St. Louis Cardinals as Spring Training draws near. Even though there’s been plenty of speculation and interest from other teams, Donovan’s market has stalled out.

It’s worth exploring how other hypothetical infield trades—like those involving Nico Hoerner and CJ Abrams—might be quietly complicating things. Maybe the Cardinals actually have a point in just holding onto Donovan for now, even if it’s not the most exciting move on paper.

Donovan’s Value and the Cardinals’ Stance

From a baseball perspective, Donovan checks almost every box for a contender. He’s versatile, able to move around the infield and outfield, gets on base, and the team controls him for several more years.

That’s a pretty appealing package, which explains why his name popped up early in trade rumors. But Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom hasn’t wavered: he’ll only move Donovan if the return is a true difference-maker for the club’s future.

Bloom keeps saying that unless it’s a blockbuster, it’s just not worth giving up such a steady and affordable player.

Why Bloom Isn’t Budging

For a team trying to retool without blowing everything up, Donovan brings both flexibility and stability. If they traded him for anything less than top-tier prospects, they’d just create more problems than they’d solve.

The Hoerner and Abrams Effect

Apparently, Donovan’s market is tangled up with two other infielders who are more theoretical trade pieces than real ones. The Chicago Cubs reportedly listened to offers on Nico Hoerner earlier this winter before shifting gears to sign Alex Bregman.

Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals have admitted to hearing out offers on CJ Abrams, though their GM has downplayed the odds of anything happening there.

All this has created a weird sort of market paralysis. Teams that might have chased Donovan seem content to wait, hoping one of these younger infielders magically becomes available at a cheaper price.

A Market Built on Maybes

Honestly, these alternatives feel like a mirage—possible in theory, but not likely in practice. Hoerner is still a key piece for the Cubs, and the Nationals see Abrams as a cornerstone, no matter what the rumors say.

Potential Suitors Playing the Waiting Game

The San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners have both been loosely linked to Donovan. They’re both looking for more offense and defensive versatility.

But neither team seems ready to give up top prospects, especially while other infielders are still technically on the board. Seattle, in particular, was rumored to have interest if the Cardinals’ price came down, but so far, no dice.

That kind of hesitation is everywhere right now. Teams just don’t want to overpay when they think other options might pop up.

Why the Market Hasn’t Clarified

Even after Bo Bichette’s situation got resolved, Donovan’s market didn’t really sharpen. Instead, everything’s still murky, and Bloom is just waiting it out rather than forcing a move.

The Risks of Standing Pat

Keeping Donovan makes sense, but it isn’t risk-free. If he gets hurt, his trade value drops fast, and with each season, the team loses a bit more control over him.

That’s a real concern for the Cardinals, who are trying to walk the line between patience and progress.

A Calculated Gamble

The author leans toward Bloom’s restraint here. If the offers aren’t good enough, holding onto Donovan just makes sense.

With Spring Training right around the corner, there’s still a chance some team gets desperate and finally meets the Cardinals’ price.

For now, Brendan Donovan stays in St. Louis—not because the Cardinals can’t move him, but because they won’t let him go for less than he’s worth.

 
Here is the source article for this story: 2 Unlikely Trades Might Make Cardinals Trade of Brendan Donovan Less Likely