Suggested trade proposal:
To Guardians:
Brendan Donovan (super-utility, 3 years control)
Gordon Graceffo (RHP prospect, top-10 in STL system)
Jonathan Mejia (SS prospect, high-upside, low minors)
To Cardinals:
Tanner Bibee (SP, 5 years control)
More in-depth analysis and commentary below:
A **Brendan Donovan ↔ Tanner Bibee one-for-one swap** is **unlikely to be balanced**—the Cardinals would almost certainly need to **add more assets** to make the trade equitable.
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**Relative Market Values*** **Trade Value Rankings**:
* **Bibee** scores \~8.7 on FantasySP’s pitcher scale – roughly **100th overall**. [\[fantasysp.com\]](https://www.fantasysp.com/mlb_player_ne ... ade-value/)
* **Donovan** scores \~8.3 on FantasySP’s position player scale – roughly **115th overall**. [\[fantasysp.com\]](https://www.fantasysp.com/mlb_player_ne ... ade-value/)
* A **slight value edge** favors Bibee’s package, meaning more is needed from St. Louis.
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**Cardinals’ Trade Demands*** Cherry-market prices:
* Internal sources caution St. Louis is **“not giving him away,”** wants a **“significant return”**. [\[dodgerblue.com\]](https://dodgerblue.com/dodgers-interest ... 025/07/26/), [\[clutchpoints.com\]](https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-c ... ade-offers)
* **Yankees, Dodgers, Astros** interest was only at the level of **initial inquiries**, with St. Louis wanting more. [\[redbirdrants.com\]](https://redbirdrants.com/mlb-insider-sp ... e-in-trade), [\[dodgerblue.com\]](https://dodgerblue.com/dodgers-interest ... 025/07/26/)
* **Ken Rosenthal**: Cards would move Donovan “only if blown away”—he’s not untouchable, but they’re in no rush. [\[redbirdrants.com\]](https://redbirdrants.com/mlb-insider-sp ... e-in-trade), [\[dodgerblue.com\]](https://dodgerblue.com/dodgers-interest ... 025/07/26/)
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**Actual Bibee Offers*** Trade rumor board: Guardians recently acquired Bibee + other arms for **three top prospects**, simulating a haul of \~26–28 "value". [\[baseballtr...values.com\]](https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades)
* Similar-comps: Dodgers and Padres deals for aces (e.g., Peralta, Paxton, Skubal) often involved **multiple coveted prospects**. [\[newsnow.com\]](https://www.newsnow.com/us/Sports/MLB/MLB+Trades), [\[mlbrumors.net\]](https://mlbrumors.net/latest)
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**Estimated Gap**| Player | Trade Value | Notable |
| --------------- | ----------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Brendan Donovan | \~8.3 | Avg MLB wRC+ 119, strong OBP/defense |
| Tanner Bibee | \~8.7 | Starting SP with 5 yrs control |
* Market data and Cardinals' expectations **indicate Donovan would need to be bundled with at least one high-level prospect** (or more) to match Bibee’s value. [\[cbssports.com\]](https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseb ... 2h-points/), [\[redbirdrants.com\]](https://redbirdrants.com/mlb-insider-sp ... e-in-trade)
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**Bottom Line*** A **standalone, player-for-player** must likely be:
* **Donovan + one premium or two mid-tier prospects**,
* Or **Donovan + a mid-tier prospect + salary or prospect swap**,
* This is due to:
* Bibee’s **stronger trade value and control** (5 years vs Donovan’s 2),
* The Cardinals’ **“blown away” threshold** and reluctance to move him cheaply. [\[dodgerblue.com\]](https://dodgerblue.com/dodgers-interest ... 025/07/26/), [\[clutchpoints.com\]](https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-c ... ade-offers)
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**Advisory**: If pursuing a Bibee-for-Donovan deal, **expect to include** a top-50 prospect (e.g., low-A/High-A pitcher or position player) to **balance both sides**.
SCENARIO 1: “Go Get the Ace”