Cardinals Reportedly Likely to Trade Infielder Brendan Donovan

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal believes the St. Louis Cardinals will trade veteran Brendan Donovan before Opening Day.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 3:15pm

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According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the St. Louis Cardinals are likely to trade infielder Brendan Donovan before the start of the 2026 season. Rosenthal believes the Cardinals' asking price for Donovan has not been met, and that teams like the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners could be potential landing spots for the veteran player.

Why it matters

The Cardinals are looking to build a younger roster and have already traded away some veteran players like Sonny Gray and Nolan Arenado this offseason. Donovan has been a consistent contributor for the Cardinals, but the team appears ready to move in a different direction.

The details

Rosenthal reported that the Cardinals' "bar has not been hit" in terms of the return they are seeking for Donovan. The 28-year-old hit .287 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs for the Cardinals in 2025, but the team seems ready to part ways with him as part of their roster overhaul.

  • The Cardinals start playing Spring Training games in February 2026.

The players

Brendan Donovan

A 28-year-old infielder who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2021.

Ken Rosenthal

An MLB insider and reporter who believes the Cardinals will trade Donovan before the 2026 season.

Chaim Bloom

The Cardinals' president of baseball operations, who has stated the team is focused on building a championship roster moving forward.

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What they’re saying

“I still believe the Cardinals are going to trade Donovan…. It's obvious their bar has not been hit.”

— Ken Rosenthal, MLB Insider

“We know that there are some real differences here, and there are some obstacles that might create for a team that's not in a massive market like us. But the other thing I believe is that can never be an excuse, and as far as our baseball operation is concerned, regardless of what we might like to see happen in terms of the larger economic picture of the game, regardless of what obstacles, the status quo gets in our way, we just can't be focused on that. That's never been how teams in markets like ours and it's never been how this organization has won.”

— Chaim Bloom, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations

What’s next

The Cardinals will continue to explore trade options for Brendan Donovan leading up to the start of the 2026 season in February.

The takeaway

The Cardinals' trade of Brendan Donovan would be part of the team's larger effort to rebuild its roster with younger talent, as they look to return to contention in the NL Central after missing the playoffs in 2025.