Cardinals get trade timeline update on Brendan Donovan from ESPN insider

The St. Louis Cardinals, since Chaim Bloom took over as the leader in the front office, have been shifting gears towards a rebuild.

Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Sonny Gray have all been dealt. But, they might not be done. Brendan Donovan, the Gold Glove All-Star, might also be traded. His market hasn't developed, but that might soon change.

According to ESPN insider Buster Olney, the Cardinals and Donovan might be heading towards a trade resolution soon, as rival executives teased a timeline for a Donovan trade.

Cardinals trade Timlin for Brendan Donovan revealed

"Perhaps most interesting position player available in the market: The Cardinals' Brendan Donovan," Olney writes. "Some rival execs fully expect he'll be moved in the next couple of weeks."

This update from Olney is a big one, in that Donovan, who has two more years of club control left on his deal, is expected to be traded in the coming weeks.

Spring Training is right around the corner, and the Cardinals might get more clarity on the teams interested in Donovan this offseason.

Olney mentions the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox as options, though of those two, the Red Sox aren't as likely thanks to their willingness to stick with a platoon at second base instead of making a third trade with the Cardinals.

More: MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency

The Mariners might be the Cardinals' best trade option, especially with the previously interested San Francisco Giants signing Luis Arraez to a one-year deal.

While the market for Donovan hasn't been as robust as one would expect for a solid conatact hitting, Gold Glove caliber fielder, it's set to ramp up soon.

Rival executives believe a deal could come in the next few weeks, as Spring Training and the 2026 regular season steadily approach.

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