Cardinals Rumors: Wainwright concern, Mozeliak clarification, fan favorite trade?

Cardinals Rumors: Could Brendan Donovan be traded?

While St. Louis should rightly shop players on expiring contracts, one who has surprisingly been mentioned by pundits is super-utility man Brendan Donovan.

Donovan remains a pre-arbitration player. He is under contract until at least 2026, if not longer given his arbitration years. He’s accountable, has hit well for two seasons now, and can play second, third and the outfield. What more do the Cards want out of a player?

While all of that makes Donovan valuable to the Cardinals, it also makes him a powerful trade asset for Mozeliak and Co. If the St. Louis front office views Donovan as a player they can afford to part with, then they can possibly pick up a number of MLB-ready assets who can contribute to the team next season or sooner. The Cards have needs at starting pitcher and the bullpen. Perhaps there’s a match. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Lynn Worthy says no player on the Cardinals roster besides Jordan Walker is untouchable, including Donovan:

"“I’m not sure that this roster is in a place where you can dub a player like Donovan untouchable in trade scenarios,” Worthy said in a question-and-answer session with fans. “His versatility is great and gives the Cardinals or any acquiring team flexibility. But if he were the key to acquiring much-needed pitching, I’m not sure the front office in good conscience could refuse to include him in a deal. After all, you have other options — and potential everyday options — at the positions, he plays.”"

It can’t be understated just how much the Cardinals need pitching. If it means parting ways with a real asset like Donovan, then Mozeliak may be willing to do just that.