#brendan-donovan

#brendan-donovan

GM Mike Hazen made waves yesterday in that corner of the market, however, when he noted that he plans to put an end to conversations regarding a Marte trade in the near future. Hazen's suggestion was that the club simply pulling Marte off the table for negotiations was a more likely outcome than a trade coming together at this point. That's been Hazen's stance all throughout the offseason, as he has long said he didn't foresee Arizona dealing a star player this winter.

"St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, who already has traded right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox, might not be done dealing with his former club," Rosenthal and Sammon wrote. "The Cardinals and Red Sox also have discussed a trade that would send infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan to Boston, according to people briefed on the conversations. Donovan likely would play second base for the Red Sox, who have also been linked to the Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte.

Donovan won't fill the power void, but an Anthony Santander bounce-back could be the answer to increasing power production. Over Donovan's four-year career, he's hit 40 home runs and knocked in 202 runs. Donovan has averaged a .772 OPS, a 0.67 walk-to-strikeout ratio, and his lowest wRC+ is 115. The 28-year-old has been great at getting on base and has been relatively healthy, playing in at least 115 games in three of his four big league seasons.

It is believed that the Dodgers are looking to add an outfielder this offseason, and while Donovan has primarily appeared at second base in his career, he can play either of the corner spots. The Dodgers want to get more athletic in the outfield, and with rumors swirling of a possible Teoscar Hernández trade, Donovan would help the team accomplish that goal.

Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan figures to be one of the most sought after trade candidates this offseason. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Royals and Guardians are two of the clubs interested in acquiring him. Goold also mentions that the Yankees and Dodgers had interest prior to the deadline, which perhaps indicates they would be interested again.

Donovan is hitting .279/.348/.402 across 476 plate appearances, with nine homers and 25 doubles, showcasing his contact skills after moving to the top of the lineup.

Brendan Donovan is not considered untouchable, and the Cardinals will listen. However, the asking price is sky-high, and St. Louis is in no rush to part with him.