Why trade Donovan?

[WaltsSuccessor]

I don't think they should give him away, but he's probably got the most trade value of anyone on the team. I don't know that you can guarantee that he'll be in his prime for the next 5 years either. Nolan Arenado is 34 and he's been in decline since his age 32 season. And Donovan has been banged up a bit, so who knows how he'll fare as he ages.

He's a very solid player on a competitive team. But if we're not going to be competitive in 2026 and maybe 2027, then we'd waste the possibility of getting better when we are competitive. And he's not going to come cheap, either. They tried to sign him to an extension last year and he turned them down. He wants to get paid and I don't blame him.

It sucks. The Cardinals shouldn't be in this position, but they are, and pretending that we don't need to make some difficult decisions will get us right back into what got us in this mess.

They're not going to give him away. His position versatility makes him a fit on 15+ teams. Literally every contender could find a place for him in their lineup. And he makes very affordable money. There's a reason MLBTR just listed him as the #3 top trade candidate this offseason. Should have plenty of offers to choose from.

[82birds]

1)
C. Bloom's best trade chip sans the untouchables (JJW, Hererra, Doyle and likely Winn)

2)
He has two years of control at a low AAV

3)
At age 29 in January, 2026 he's not the player you center a re-build around

4)
Every single contender in MLB could use a Donny type player meaning Bloom could start a bidding war that drives up his return

5)
Bloom won't come close to "giving him away", the return will be solid


This is nothing against Donovan, he's a favorite of almost all of Cardinal Nation.

This is about the "re-build" and using him to gather some quality prospects or a young #3 starter w/control

^^ all well said, Rock
I especially like point #4

[rockondlouie]

1)
C. Bloom's best trade chip sans the untouchables (JJW, Hererra, Doyle and likely Winn)

2)
He has two years of control at a low AAV

3)
At age 29 in January, 2026 he's not the player you center a re-build around

4)
Every single contender in MLB could use a Donny type player meaning Bloom could start a bidding war that drives up his return

5)
Bloom won't come close to "giving him away", the return will be solid


This is nothing against Donovan, he's a favorite of almost all of Cardinal Nation.

This is about the "re-build" and using him to gather some quality prospects or a young #3 starter w/control

^^ all well said, Rock

Thx Birds!

#4) is what gets me excited since every contender can use and will want Donny which could lead to a solid "over pay" on their part wanting Donny and wanting to keep him away from a rival!

[riff raff]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

[Basil Shabazz]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

I believe the team intends to play Gorman every day at third base in 2026. Sink or swim time for Gorman.

[riff raff]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

I believe the team intends to play Gorman every day at third base in 2026. Sink or swim time for Gorman.

Barf
That very well could be true

[ecleme22]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

I believe the team intends to play Gorman every day at third base in 2026. Sink or swim time for Gorman.

I think the team will begin the season like this.

But they won't let him sink for that long. Two months tops. If he super blows on defense? Even less.

[ramfandan]

I don't think they should give him away, but he's probably got the most trade value of anyone on the team. I don't know that you can guarantee that he'll be in his prime for the next 5 years either. Nolan Arenado is 34 and he's been in decline since his age 32 season. And Donovan has been banged up a bit, so who knows how he'll fare as he ages.

He's a very solid player on a competitive team. But if we're not going to be competitive in 2026 and maybe 2027, then we'd waste the possibility of getting better when we are competitive. And he's not going to come cheap, either. They tried to sign him to an extension last year and he turned them down. He wants to get paid and I don't blame him.

It sucks. The Cardinals shouldn't be in this position, but they are, and pretending that we don't need to make some difficult decisions will get us right back into what got us in this mess.

Yes, the two sides had discussions last year. Here is what I would like to know. Usually the length of years is initially the first step over $$ per year. Ex. Braves offered Freeman 5 years and Freemsn’s agent said must be 6 years. Braves said No
So what does Donovan expect and what year do would Cardinals go to ?
Some have said a 4 year offer by Bloom would be his offer. Ages 29-32 seeing how players decline in 30’s.
Others say Donovan with Donnie being free agent in 2 years that signing a 4 year deal isn’t long enough for him.. just giving up 2 years of free agency.
So possibly the two sides have differing views on how many years the extension should be. I have my doubts that Bloom would offer a 5+ yr extension but also think Donovan would not sign with Cardinals if he doesn’t get that 5+ years.
What do you think ?

[Ozziesfan41]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

I believe the team intends to play Gorman every day at third base in 2026. Sink or swim time for Gorman.

Barf
That very well could be true

No kidding Gorman has proven he can’t swim I don’t know why people need to see him continue to drown before they figure it out. Next season after he sucks again they will say he’s just 26 can’t give up on that power give him another runway sink or swim year

[Basil Shabazz]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

I believe the team intends to play Gorman every day at third base in 2026. Sink or swim time for Gorman.

Barf
That very well could be true

No kidding Gorman has proven he can’t swim I don’t know why people need to see him continue to drown before they figure it out. Next season after he sucks again they will say he’s just 26 can’t give up on that power give him another runway sink or swim year

I believe the "people" you are referring to are within the organization, not the fans.

[ecleme22]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

I believe the team intends to play Gorman every day at third base in 2026. Sink or swim time for Gorman.

Barf
That very well could be true

No kidding Gorman has proven he can’t swim I don’t know why people need to see him continue to drown before they figure it out. Next season after he sucks again they will say he’s just 26 can’t give up on that power give him another runway sink or swim year

Won’t be that. Especially if he struggles early on defense. The team will pivot early.

[renostl]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

With using your best prognostication skills, How long
do you see both NA and BD on the infield in St. Louis?

Will BD extend if he gets his pick of 10 teams even if the money was the same?

[juan good eye]

Because he is precisely not a player to build around. He is a complementary piece to star caliber players. The cardinals don’t have the necessary 2-3 star players to build around. If they had them, then Donovan is a no brainer extension. They don’t, so they need to consider dealing him.

+1 also if bloom isn’t offered prospects he thinks are worth trading him for him he won’t trade him. People act like bloom is going to trade him just to trade him. He won’t. Bloom wants good prospects he’s not going to get that trading the highly paid veterans or noot or Gorman so he can trade guys like Gorman and speed up the rebuild or keep them and extend how long the rebuild takes

+2 why are these guys so dumb

[riff raff]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

With using your best prognostication skills, How long
do you see both NA and BD on the infield in St. Louis?

Will BD extend if he gets his pick of 10 teams even if the money was the same?

I don't see them both on the same infield.

Donovan has a property in Alabama set up just how he likes it. Rural, hunting etc.
He would probably extend if it were close to home.

[renostl]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

With using your best prognostication skills, How long
do you see both NA and BD on the infield in St. Louis?

Will BD extend if he gets his pick of 10 teams even if the money was the same?

I don't see them both on the same infield.

Donovan has a property in Alabama set up just how he likes it. Rural, hunting etc.
He would probably extend if it were close to home.

We're all different but if me I go where winning is possible and they offer a contract.
I'm away from home most of the summer anyway, I play every day and my career is very short.

I have little issue with keeping BD. There's more options than him in acquiring players
and nothing guarantees that his deal will bring an all-star. I do want him on the infield
over the outfield. JMO. and JJ will get a very long ride if he stays healthy.
JJ and someone else will man 2B/3B.

[Bomber1]

If you trade Donovan and Nado then you either get Gorman at 3B or JJ at 3B and Saggese at 2B.
I keep Donovan unless you can't or won't trade Nado.

I believe the team intends to play Gorman every day at third base in 2026. Sink or swim time for Gorman.

Gorman sank last year.

But by all means let’s raise that wreck so it can sink again.