The New York Yankees are still looking to add one more infielder to complete their starting lineup before Opening Day. While St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado appeared to be the most likely target, recent developments involving second baseman Brendan Donovan have opened up new possibilities for Yankees GM Brian Cashman and his team. The Cardinals were unable to reach a long-term deal with Donovan before arbitration, potentially leading to growing tension between the two parties.
Donovan, 27, has been an above-average starter for St. Louis over the past three seasons and has earned a long-term contract. However, with the Cardinals holding considerable leverage over him, given that he won’t reach unrestricted free agency until 2028, it may be worth exploring trade options for the talented infielder in the coming weeks.
The Yankees, in particular, would likely be interested in acquiring him if the Cardinals are willing to negotiate a deal. However, Yankees fans hoping to send Marcus Stroman, with his hefty contract, in exchange for Donovan may be disappointed. Unlike Arenado, where St. Louis was looking to free up money, Donovan is a cost-controlled, productive player in his prime, meaning the Cardinals would seek top prospects in return.
Cashman and the Yankees front office are known for holding on to young players they believe have the potential to develop into stars, partly to keep their payroll in check. Retaining players with multiple years of control allows them to balance financial constraints while developing talent.
As a result, the Yankees will likely need to make concessions to strike a deal with St. Louis, though they won’t part with their top-tier prospects for a player who doesn’t have All-Star potential. Instead, the Yankees could offer a pair of promising, yet not elite, prospects to close the value gap.
Brendan Donovan
One potential centerpiece of the trade could be Everson Pereira, a former top-five prospect whose progress has been hindered by injuries. While there’s no immediate spot for him in the Yankees’ crowded outfield, he could earn a role with the Cardinals, bringing impressive tools to their roster.
The second player in the deal could be Will Warren, a reliable depth option for the Yankees’ rotation. With the addition of Max Fried this offseason, Warren becomes less of a necessity in New York, and the Cardinals could benefit from adding a middle-of-the-rotation arm who can contribute immediately. While Warren may not have elite upside, he offers a solid floor that the Cardinals could count on.
Cardinals fans may want a higher-risk, higher-reward package in exchange for Donovan, but the Yankees’ offer of two top-10 prospects could provide solid value for a reliable player who may no longer fit into St. Louis’ future plans. This trade would give the Yankees the infielder they need while offering the Cardinals a good return for a player who might not align with their long-term competitive timeline.
Leave a Reply