Latest MLB Trade Rumors on Brendan Donovan as Front-Runners Emerge for Cardinals Star

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan may be heading to the West Coast.

According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, "The Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants have emerged as front-runners for St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, sources familiar with negotiations tell The Athletic, with the Cardinals looking to land multiple top prospects in a return."

Woo noted that the rebuilding Cardinals have been "shopping" Donovan this offseason, with a source telling her that talks between Seattle and St. Louis have been "picking up" since this week's Winter Meetings.

Pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfield prospect Lazaro Montes have been among the names discussed in a potential deal, according to that report.

The Cardinals and Giants, meanwhile, have reportedly discussed infield prospect Gavin Kilen and pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt during trade talks.

Woo noted that both the Giants and Mariners have also held discussions with the Arizona Cardinals for slugging infielder Ketel Marte.

While Donovan doesn't have anything close to Marte's pop—the Arizona man has registered 25 or more homers in three straight seasons—he's also four years younger, is under club control for two more years and is a versatile defensive option who was a 2022 Gold Glover.

And Donovan holds his own at the plate, hitting .287 with 10 homers, 50 RBI, 64 runs and a .775 OPS last season.

With the Cardinals coming off a 78-84 season, a rebuild was necessary. That makes trading Donovan an inevitability.