The St. Louis Cardinals don’t need to rush into a decision, but if an appealing proposal surfaces for All-Star utility player , the organization should be open to exploring it.
The All-Star has been a frequent name in trade speculation throughout the offseason. With Spring Training just weeks away, no deal has materialized yet. Speaking to fans over the weekend, Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom made it clear he isn’t ruling anything out, though he emphasized that, at this stage of the calendar, players already on the roster are more likely to remain with the team.
“Generally speaking, unless something is clearly developing, most of the time if a player is here, it’s more likely they’ll stay than go,” Bloom said.
Even so, MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand suggested last week that a Donovan trade is close to inevitable.
“Donovan looks like a near-lock to be moved, but with multiple teams showing interest, the Cardinals will wait until the right deal presents itself,” Feinsand wrote. “The Giants, Mariners, and Red Sox are among the clubs searching for a second baseman.”
Feinsand also noted that while Nico Hoerner could be a trade option for the Cubs, Chicago isn’t under pressure to move him given his contract status. If San Francisco does acquire a second baseman, Donovan appears to be the leading candidate.
Bloom has left all possibilities on the table, and Donovan remains one of the most compelling trade pieces available. If a move is coming, it will likely happen sooner rather than later, with Spring Training now less than a month away. The Diamondbacks already allowed their self-imposed deadline for a Ketel Marte trade to pass. The Cardinals may benefit from taking a similar approach: set a clear deadline, make a deal if the price is right, and if not, put an end to the speculation.
