The MLB offseason hit a lull as free agency and the trade market are at a standstill as the calendar turns to 2026, but teams continue negotiating behind the scenes.
Numerous options are available on both the free agent and trade market, and it may just take one domino to fall to start a chain reaction. St. Louis Cardinals All-Star Brendan Donovan is among the most likely players who will be moved between now and the start of Spring Training in February.
The utilityman has drawn widespread interest this offseason and continues to be a target for several teams, via Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic:
Donovan, who is fresh off his first All-Star season and has two years of team control remaining, continues to garner competitive interest from several teams.
After already trading Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras, the Cardinals are now seemingly focused on getting the best possible return for Donovan.
They reportedly want a haul to part with Donovan, who has two more seasons of team control through salary arbitration.
The 28-year-old hit .287/.353/.422 with 32 doubles, 10 home runs and 50 RBI in 118 games this past season. He set career highs in batting average and slugging percentage, and fell just shy of doing so in doubles and homers, which are 34 and 14, respectively.
Donovan spent the bulk of his time this year at second base, where he played 100 games. The 28-year-old additionally appeared in 18 games in left field and six at shortstop.
Dodgers interested in Brendan Donovan
A previous report suggested the Dodgers are among the teams with interest in Donovan. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously said the team was looking to add a position player who is good on both sides of the ball, and Donovan would fit that description.
The Dodgers and Cardinals last came together on a trade in 2024 as part of a three-team deal that involved the Chicago White Sox. L.A. acquired Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech in the deal, both of whom played key roles in the team winning back-to-back World Series.
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