The Kansas City Royals have put together a strong offseason. They completed a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers to bring in Isaac Collins and Nick Mears, and they also signed Lane Thomas to improve their outfield production.
Even with those moves, the Royals may still need additional offensive help. Second base remains a question mark after Jonathan India struggled during the 2025 season, and there’s still room to add another capable outfielder.
One name that has been linked to Kansas City throughout much of the offseason is St. Louis Cardinals All-Star . While Ken Rosenthal previously suggested a trade was unlikely, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch did not rule out the possibility.
Goold reported that the Royals are among the teams that have been in touch with the Cardinals, along with the Red Sox, who are also seeking infield help.
Donovan put together a solid 2025 campaign, batting .287 with 10 home runs and a .775 OPS, earning a spot as the Cardinals’ lone All-Star. At 28 years old, he fits many of Kansas City’s needs. He could immediately upgrade second base or slide into the outfield and brings elite defensive value, having won the Utility Gold Glove in his rookie season in 2022.
Kansas City also has the type of young pitching prospects St. Louis would likely seek in a trade. With two years of team control remaining, Donovan is a highly appealing trade target. His defensive versatility allows him to play nearly anywhere on the field, offering valuable insurance against injuries.
While the Royals’ infield is already fairly solid, adding a proven Gold Glove defender like Donovan would further strengthen the group. The team is in better shape than it was at the end of 2025, and acquiring Donovan could be the move that pushes them back into playoff contention.
As spring training draws closer, the situation is worth monitoring. The Royals are still searching for offensive consistency, and Donovan could be the final piece they need to return to the postseason after narrowly missing out in 2025. They appear to have both the motivation and the assets required to make a deal happen.
