Yankees Eye Cardinals Slugger Brendan Donovan Ahead of Trade Deadline

The New York Yankees might be considering a big lineup shakeup. Reports are linking them to St. Louis Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan.

MLB insider Mark Feinsand says several teams—like the Dodgers, Royals, and Guardians—are also interested in Donovan. The Yankees, though, seem to view him as the perfect high-contact hitter to balance out their power-heavy offense.

Donovan’s got a great on-base record and can play multiple positions. That could plug a real hole in New York’s batting order. Of course, there are still questions about his defensive fit and whether a deal will actually happen before spring training rolls around.

Yankees’ Need for a Contact Hitter

Lately, the Yankees have relied a ton on power bats like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Ben Rice. These guys can change a game instantly, but their high strikeout rates sometimes leave the lineup exposed against top-tier pitching.

Why Donovan Fits the Profile

Brendan Donovan brings something different to the table. He owns a career .361 on-base percentage, has a patient approach at the plate, and puts the ball in play—a skill set the Yankees really lack right now.

• 25% chase rate, showing he rarely expands the zone
• 13.4% whiff rate, so he makes a ton of contact
• 13% strikeout rate, which is way better than league average

He’s not a huge home run threat, but you know what? His steady approach could make him one of the toughest outs in the American League.

The Leadoff Dilemma

In 2024, the Yankees tried Trent Grisham at the top of the order. Now, with Grisham likely on his way out, there’s a real gap in the leadoff spot.

The Yankees have always thrived when they can get runners on base for their sluggers. Donovan’s contact-heavy style could give Judge and Stanton more chances to drive in runs.

Potential Impact on the Lineup

If Donovan leads off, the Yankees could see fewer empty innings. That might mean steadier run production and less dependence on the home run.

It’s a change of pace, honestly. Maybe it’s about time New York tried to mix things up instead of banking on the long ball every night.

Defensive Challenges

Donovan’s bat is intriguing, but his defensive spot is up in the air. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has made a strong case as the starting second baseman, so Donovan probably won’t see much time there.

Finding the Right Position for Donovan

He’s played some third base and left field, and he’s been about league average at both. With Cody Bellinger possibly leaving and Kyle Tucker apparently not in the mix, left field seems like Donovan’s best fit.

That switch would force the Yankees to shuffle their roster a bit. They’d need to make sure they’re not sacrificing too much on defense just to get Donovan’s bat in the lineup.

Trade Market Complexity

Other teams aren’t ignoring Donovan, either. The Dodgers, Royals, and Guardians are all in the mix, so the Yankees face some real competition here.

The Cardinals will only move Donovan if the return is right, especially since he’s still got two years of arbitration ahead. It’s not exactly a buyer’s market.

Timing Is Everything

The Yankees would love to have their roster set before spring training. But let’s be real—these kinds of trades can drag out.

Front offices across baseball are still weighing their options. New York has to walk a fine line between being aggressive and not overpaying just to beat out the competition.

Final Thoughts

Brendan Donovan feels like the kind of player the Yankees have missed lately. He’s a high-contact, patient hitter who might finally bring some balance to their offense.

If this deal happens, it could nudge the team’s approach at the plate in a much-needed direction. Honestly, it’s hard not to wonder if this is the move that gets them over the hump in October.

But there’s still plenty to sort out—other teams want him too, and the Yankees have some decisions to make about where he’d play. The next few weeks should be interesting, to say the least.

Yankees fans can only wait and hope. Sometimes, just one disciplined left-handed bat can flip an entire season on its head.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees Linked to Cardinals Slugger