As the Los Angeles Dodgers appear intent on addressing their bullpen at the MLB trade deadline this season, they also are said to have interest in acquiring a left-handed hitting outfielder.
St. Louis Cardinals All-Star Brendan Donovan doesn’t necessarily fit that description, but the Dodgers reportedly are among the teams with interest in the 28-year-old. Donovan is among multiple players the Cardinals could part with at the deadline given their disappointing season thus far.
But according to Katie Woo of The Athletic, a Donovan trade would need to entail the Cardinals receiving a significant return:
Donovan is not considered untouchable, and the Cardinals will listen, team sources said. But the asking price is sky-high, and St. Louis is in no rush to part with him, as he still has two years of arbitration remaining.
Donovan has two more seasons of team control through salary arbitration and wouldn’t become a free agent until after the 2027 season.
Along with Donovan, the Dodgers presumably would have interest in Ryan Helsley as well. But acquiring both players would come at a significant cost despite Helsley being on track to become a free agent after the 2025 season.
Donovan is hitting .293/.360/.428 with 24 doubles, nine home runs and 42 RBI this season. He’s on track to set career highs in batting average, slugging, doubles and homers.
Donovan had career-bests 34 doubles and 14 home runs last season. This year was his first time making the All-Star Game.
The Dodgers and Cardinals came together on a trade just last year in a deal that also involved the Chicago White Sox. General manager Brandon Gomes got the Dodgers involved in negotiations as it appeared the Cardinals were on the verge of trading Tommy Edman to the White Sox.
Instead, the Dodgers received Edman and Michael Kopech in the three-team trade with the Cardinals and White Sox.
How Brendan Donovan fits with Dodgers
Donovan has played 18 games in left field this season and a total of 186 in the outfield throughout his career. He otherwise has primarily played second base.
With the Dodgers, Donovan could take over at second base. That would allow them to shift Edman to center field and Andy Pages over to left field.
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