As the Los Angeles Dodgers were in search of a left-handed hitting outfielder at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, one possibility that emerged was completing a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals for Brendan Donovan.
An All-Star for the first time in his career in 2025, Donovan didn’t quite fit that description, but his versatility allows for playing the outfield and seemingly attracted the Dodgers given their approach to roster construction. Despite fielding interest, the Cardinals did not part with Donovan at the trade deadline.
Now as the franchise undergoes a transition with new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, there is speculation Donovan will be among the players traded by the Cardinals this offseason.
While discussing the possibility during an appearance on “Hot Stove” on MLB Network, Jon Morosi noted the Dodgers are among the teams interested in a Donovan trade:
“Right now, the interest in Brendan Donovan is widespread throughout Major League Baseball. I think he is, in many ways, the avatar for where the St. Louis Cardinals are at the moment. Chaim Bloom has just come in as the president of baseball operations, and he is listening on basically every veteran who is starting to make arbitration money or more than that.
“And Brendan Donovan, because he is able to play above-average defense, multiple spots among the diamond, Brendan Donovan is garnering widespread interest from exactly the teams that you would hope to be getting interest from. The Dodgers, the Mets, the Yankees. He could be some insurance in terms of if the Phillies don’t re-sign Kyle Schwarber, maybe there’s a spot there. And yes, the Houston Astros.”
Donovan hit .287/.353/.422 with 32 doubles, 10 home runs and 50 RBI this past season. He set career highs in batting average and slugging percentage. He fell just shy of also 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. Donovan has played 163 games (139 starts) in left field over his four-year career, and another 30 (23 starts) in right field.
The Dodgers and Cardinals came together on a trade in 2023 as part of a three-team deal that involved the Chicago White Sox. General manager Brandon Gomes got the Dodgers involved in negotiations once 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.
Brendan Donovan under team control
Donovan has two more years of team control through salary arbitration and wouldn’t become a free agent until after the 2027 season.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
