Before Eugenio Suarez inked a $15 million, one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals seemed to be done making any more changes this offseason. The Cardinals have been fielding interest in Brendan Donovan, and a resolution to that scenario should be close with spring training commencing in a few days.
With Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado gone, Donovan is the Cardinals’ most valuable trade chip. He might provide the Cardinals, who are rebuilding, their finest return.
Buster Olney of ESPN provided an update on his market and highlighted that the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox are still in play. However, Boston’s loss of Alex Bregman may eventually make it possible for them and the Cardinals to make another trade.
Red Sox have opening to trade for Donovan
Gray and Contreras were previously traded to Boston by the Cardinals. While Contreras might potentially be a replacement for Bregman, the Red Sox need another proven bat in their mix. They may have Marcelo Mayer ready to play third base and multiple choices at second base, but Romy Gonzalez and David Hamilton are unproven.
With all the big-name infielders now off the market, Donovan is the ideal candidate to fill the vacuum left by the Red Sox’s pressing need for an outside addition.
The Red Sox have a chance to reach an agreement that St. Louis would be interested in. They haven’t been prepared to pay the Cardinals what they want, but with few other options, that might change.
For 2026, the Cardinals will need young, manageable starting pitchers—possibly even someone they can start right away. The Red Sox have left-handers Payton Tolle and Connelly Early.
The Red Sox should step up their pursuit of Donovan now that Suarez is off the market, and the Cardinals could at least acquire one of them in a trade with Boston, even though that might be difficult to accomplish.
Donovan, a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner, could significantly boost Boston and help the Cardinals make a strong comeback. It will be intriguing to observe whether Suarez’s deal with Cincinnati influences the Red Sox and Cardinals’ next moves.
