Goold: Donovan's market starting to materialize

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Holding Burleson and Hererra are what I thought made sense. Move Contreras and open up 1B/DH for those two.

Interest in Donovan isn't surprising. What we get in return is the question.

That is pretty much where I stand as well with regards to Burleson and Herrera. I would say, however, if you can't trade Willson for whatever reason, I think you have to trade Burleson.

[renostl]

Well after some of the proposals, I Just can't imagine an infield of Gorman, JJ, Saggese, and Burleson . That just moves too few tickets.

Yeah,
Winn and Donnie won't be both moving and I am very doubtful Winn goes
anytime soon, it just creates an opening and he's under for a long time.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

That would be silly IMO. A GG shortstop who has not turned 24 y/o yet and has already shown bat potential at the MLB level, who doesn't hit free agency until 2030, is a commodity that you pair with a JJW type.

Winn wasn't mentioned in the article or chat because anyone with any sense knows that Winn isn't on the table unless someone just blows the Cards away with a silly offer.

Yep. You could have potentially two All Stars up the middle for you. Winn will be 24 next year. He's very young and he's been basically a slightly below average to average hitter the last two years. He still has room to grow. Ozzie Smith didn't make the majors until 23 and was a terrible offensive player until almost 30. Let's give Winn some time to mature. I'm extending him this offseason if I'm Bloom.

Of course if you get blown away by a team you have to consider it, but I don't see that happening.

[renostl]

That would be silly IMO. A GG shortstop who has not turned 24 y/o yet and has already shown bat potential at the MLB level, who doesn't hit free agency until 2030, is a commodity that you pair with a JJW type.

Winn wasn't mentioned in the article or chat because anyone with any sense knows that Winn isn't on the table unless someone just blows the Cards away with a silly offer.

Yep. You could have potentially two All Stars up the middle for you. Winn will be 24 next year. He's very young and he's been basically a slightly below average to average hitter the last two years. He still has room to grow. Ozzie Smith didn't make the majors until 23 and was a terrible offensive player until almost 30. Let's give Winn some time to mature. I'm extending him this offseason if I'm Bloom.

Of course if you get blown away by a team you have to consider it, but I don't see that happening.

It just creates another hole. JJ can only play one spot.
Plenty of time to let it play out even if Winn does eventually get dealt.

[rockondlouie]

Holding Burleson and Hererra are what I thought made sense. Move Contreras and open up 1B/DH for those two.

Interest in Donovan isn't surprising. What we get in return is the question.

That is pretty much where I stand as well with regards to Burleson and Herrera. I would say, however, if you can't trade Willson for whatever reason, I think you have to trade Burleson.

I just don't see WillyC waiving his NTC ronnie, he seems to really like it here and wants to stay.

If Donovan does get traded (highly likely), then we could see Burly in LF/1B when Willy needs a day off/DH).

Bloom like's hitter w/Burleson's profile (High contact rate, low strikeout rate, ect...), I don't see him being dealt unless Bloom gets an overwhelming offer.

[Ozziesfan41]

Somewhat interesting to me that Masyn Winn was not mentioned as a “prefer to hold on to” player. Especially with JJ knocking on the door.

He’d make a valuable piece to a trade involving a high potential TOTR or power hitter

I’d rather keep Donovan and trade Winn but all options have to be considered.

That would be silly IMO. A GG shortstop who has not turned 24 y/o yet and has already shown bat potential at the MLB level, who doesn't hit free agency until 2030, is a commodity that you pair with a JJW type.

Winn wasn't mentioned in the article or chat because anyone with any sense knows that Winn isn't on the table unless someone just blows the Cards away with a silly offer.

Yea Winn hit .260 .345 .770 OPS in march and April and .289 .358 .801 OPS in ops hurt his knee and played for months with a torn meniscus which hurt his numbers. If the cards trade him fans are going to be calling bloom an idiot when Winn blossoms into an all star elsewhere and they’ll say stupid bloom cardinals could have had JJ and Winn up the middle. But luckily bloom isn’t dumb enough to trade him

[TraveledLessRoad]

Plus Willy C can actually hit a bit. We don't have a lot of those types

[cardinalsfan27]

Give me Noah Cameron and a prospect from KC but I’m sure they’re not wanting to trade him. Pass if they offer Kolek and/or Bergert.

[cardinalsfan27]

Derrick Goold
@dgoold
A match made in Missouri:

Count #KCRoyals among teams interested in Brendan Donovan, per sources. And they're open to talk about trading one of their starters to find a bat. #stlcards are shopping for a start. Show-Me a deal?


Derrick Goold
@dgoold
Cardinals All-Star Brendan Donovan among most coveted hitters in trade talks, per multiple sources.

Bloom should insist on Noah Cameron from KC.

Yep! KC fans are saying that’s a pipe dream and that one of Kolek or Bergert plus a lower prospect would get it done lol.

[TraveledLessRoad]

Give me Noah Cameron and a prospect from KC but I’m sure they’re not wanting to trade him. Pass if they offer Kolek and/or Bergert.

Here's AI's take on a Cameron for Donovan swap:

Here’s how a **Donovan-for-Cameron trade** compares based on control, value, and team needs:

***

### **Control & Salaries**

**Noah Cameron (Royals):**

| Factor | Detail |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Control** | Through 2027 arbitration, free agent in 2032 [\[fangraphs.com\]](https://www.fangraphs.com/players/noah- ... position=P), [\[spotrac.com\]](https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id ... ah-cameron) |
| **2025 Salary** | Pre-arbitration at \~$760K [\[spotrac.com\]](https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id ... ah-cameron) |

**Brendan Donovan (Cardinals):**

| Factor | Detail |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Control** | Arbitration-eligible through 2027, free agent in 2028 [\[spotrac.com\]](https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id ... an-donovan) |
| **2025 Salary** | $2.85M (requested $3.3M) [\[ksl.com\]](https://www.ksl.com/article/51250731/do ... 85-million), [\[krcgtv.com\]](https://krcgtv.com/sports/content/cardi ... -wednesday) |

***

### **Performance & Value**

**Noah Cameron (2025):**

* 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 138 IP, \~1.8 fWAR [\[fangraphs.com\]](https://www.fangraphs.com/players/noah- ... position=P), [\[baseball-r...erence.com\]](https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... no01.shtml)
* Strong breaking pitches, but likely to regress (FIP 4.18, xERA 3.97) [\[sports.yahoo.com\]](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/2025-s ... 00508.html), [\[fangraphs.com\]](https://www.fangraphs.com/players/noah- ... position=P)

**Brendan Donovan (2024–25):**

* Three-season total: .280 AVG, 30 HR, \~7.4 WAR [\[newsnow.com\]](https://www.newsnow.com/us/Sports/MLB/MLB+Trades), [\[ksl.com\]](https://www.ksl.com/article/51250731/do ... 85-million)

***

### **Team Intentions & Tradeability**

* **Royals** have pitching depth, may trade Cameron to improve offense [\[si.com\]](https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/news/roya ... line-curt9), [\[soyfutbol.com\]](https://www.soyfutbol.com/en/news/Is-No ... -0057.html)
* Offense needs remain **primary priority** for Royals 2026 [\[si.com\]](https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/onsi/news ... 2026-curt9), [\[kingsofkauffman.com\]](https://kingsofkauffman.com/2-glaring-n ... jswa8zadb7)

***

### **Is It a Fair 1-for-1?**

* **Edge to Donovan**: Higher WAR, exceptional versatility, stronger market value
* **Edge to Cameron**: Longer team control through 2027, cost-efficiency
* **Market Expectations**: Royals would require **Donovan + at least one additional mid-tier prospect** to trade Cameron [\[si.com\]](https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/news/roya ... line-curt9), [\[soyfutbol.com\]](https://www.soyfutbol.com/en/news/Is-No ... -0057.html)

***

### **Conclusion**

* A straight **1-for-1** swap would **favor the Royals**.
* To balance value, **Cardinals must include a mid-tier prospect** alongside Donovan.
* The package needs to reflect fair value for Cameron’s control and upside—and meet the Royals’ need for offense.

***

[smilinjoefission]

It'll be Cole Ragans, and he'll be hurt most of the 4 seasons he's here...but it'll probably be Bubic and he'll be horrid the 2 seasons he's here.

[ecleme22]

Somewhat interesting to me that Masyn Winn was not mentioned as a “prefer to hold on to” player. Especially with JJ knocking on the door.

He’d make a valuable piece to a trade involving a high potential TOTR or power hitter

I’d rather keep Donovan and trade Winn but all options have to be considered.

That would be a horrible idea.

[cardinalsfan27]

Give me Noah Cameron and a prospect from KC but I’m sure they’re not wanting to trade him. Pass if they offer Kolek and/or Bergert.

Here's AI's take on a Cameron for Donovan swap:

Here’s how a **Donovan-for-Cameron trade** compares based on control, value, and team needs:

***

### **Control & Salaries**

**Noah Cameron (Royals):**

| Factor | Detail |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Control** | Through 2027 arbitration, free agent in 2032 [\[fangraphs.com\]](https://www.fangraphs.com/players/noah- ... position=P), [\[spotrac.com\]](https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id ... ah-cameron) |
| **2025 Salary** | Pre-arbitration at \~$760K [\[spotrac.com\]](https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id ... ah-cameron) |

**Brendan Donovan (Cardinals):**

| Factor | Detail |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Control** | Arbitration-eligible through 2027, free agent in 2028 [\[spotrac.com\]](https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id ... an-donovan) |
| **2025 Salary** | $2.85M (requested $3.3M) [\[ksl.com\]](https://www.ksl.com/article/51250731/do ... 85-million), [\[krcgtv.com\]](https://krcgtv.com/sports/content/cardi ... -wednesday) |

***

### **Performance & Value**

**Noah Cameron (2025):**

* 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 138 IP, \~1.8 fWAR [\[fangraphs.com\]](https://www.fangraphs.com/players/noah- ... position=P), [\[baseball-r...erence.com\]](https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... no01.shtml)
* Strong breaking pitches, but likely to regress (FIP 4.18, xERA 3.97) [\[sports.yahoo.com\]](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/2025-s ... 00508.html), [\[fangraphs.com\]](https://www.fangraphs.com/players/noah- ... position=P)

**Brendan Donovan (2024–25):**

* Three-season total: .280 AVG, 30 HR, \~7.4 WAR [\[newsnow.com\]](https://www.newsnow.com/us/Sports/MLB/MLB+Trades), [\[ksl.com\]](https://www.ksl.com/article/51250731/do ... 85-million)

***

### **Team Intentions & Tradeability**

* **Royals** have pitching depth, may trade Cameron to improve offense [\[si.com\]](https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/news/roya ... line-curt9), [\[soyfutbol.com\]](https://www.soyfutbol.com/en/news/Is-No ... -0057.html)
* Offense needs remain **primary priority** for Royals 2026 [\[si.com\]](https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/onsi/news ... 2026-curt9), [\[kingsofkauffman.com\]](https://kingsofkauffman.com/2-glaring-n ... jswa8zadb7)

***

### **Is It a Fair 1-for-1?**

* **Edge to Donovan**: Higher WAR, exceptional versatility, stronger market value
* **Edge to Cameron**: Longer team control through 2027, cost-efficiency
* **Market Expectations**: Royals would require **Donovan + at least one additional mid-tier prospect** to trade Cameron [\[si.com\]](https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/news/roya ... line-curt9), [\[soyfutbol.com\]](https://www.soyfutbol.com/en/news/Is-No ... -0057.html)

***

### **Conclusion**

* A straight **1-for-1** swap would **favor the Royals**.
* To balance value, **Cardinals must include a mid-tier prospect** alongside Donovan.
* The package needs to reflect fair value for Cameron’s control and upside—and meet the Royals’ need for offense.

***

I’d do a 1 for 1 trade or even throw in a low level prospect for Cameron.

[cardinalsfan27]

It'll be Cole Ragans, and he'll be hurt most of the 4 seasons he's here...but it'll probably be Bubic and he'll be horrid the 2 seasons he's here.

If Ragans were available KC could do better than Donovan and they’d have to add something if it were Bubic IMO.

[TraveledLessRoad]

Give me Noah Cameron and a prospect from KC but I’m sure they’re not wanting to trade him. Pass if they offer Kolek and/or Bergert.

Here's AI's take on a Cameron for Donovan swap:

Here’s how a **Donovan-for-Cameron trade** compares based on control, value, and team needs:

***

### **Control & Salaries**

**Noah Cameron (Royals):**

| Factor | Detail |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Control** | Through 2027 arbitration, free agent in 2032 [\[fangraphs.com\]](https://www.fangraphs.com/players/noah- ... position=P), [\[spotrac.com\]](https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id ... ah-cameron) |
| **2025 Salary** | Pre-arbitration at \~$760K [\[spotrac.com\]](https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id ... ah-cameron) |

**Brendan Donovan (Cardinals):**

| Factor | Detail |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Control** | Arbitration-eligible through 2027, free agent in 2028 [\[spotrac.com\]](https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id ... an-donovan) |
| **2025 Salary** | $2.85M (requested $3.3M) [\[ksl.com\]](https://www.ksl.com/article/51250731/do ... 85-million), [\[krcgtv.com\]](https://krcgtv.com/sports/content/cardi ... -wednesday) |

***

### **Performance & Value**

**Noah Cameron (2025):**

* 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 138 IP, \~1.8 fWAR [\[fangraphs.com\]](https://www.fangraphs.com/players/noah- ... position=P), [\[baseball-r...erence.com\]](https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... no01.shtml)
* Strong breaking pitches, but likely to regress (FIP 4.18, xERA 3.97) [\[sports.yahoo.com\]](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/2025-s ... 00508.html), [\[fangraphs.com\]](https://www.fangraphs.com/players/noah- ... position=P)

**Brendan Donovan (2024–25):**

* Three-season total: .280 AVG, 30 HR, \~7.4 WAR [\[newsnow.com\]](https://www.newsnow.com/us/Sports/MLB/MLB+Trades), [\[ksl.com\]](https://www.ksl.com/article/51250731/do ... 85-million)

***

### **Team Intentions & Tradeability**

* **Royals** have pitching depth, may trade Cameron to improve offense [\[si.com\]](https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/news/roya ... line-curt9), [\[soyfutbol.com\]](https://www.soyfutbol.com/en/news/Is-No ... -0057.html)
* Offense needs remain **primary priority** for Royals 2026 [\[si.com\]](https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/onsi/news ... 2026-curt9), [\[kingsofkauffman.com\]](https://kingsofkauffman.com/2-glaring-n ... jswa8zadb7)

***

### **Is It a Fair 1-for-1?**

* **Edge to Donovan**: Higher WAR, exceptional versatility, stronger market value
* **Edge to Cameron**: Longer team control through 2027, cost-efficiency
* **Market Expectations**: Royals would require **Donovan + at least one additional mid-tier prospect** to trade Cameron [\[si.com\]](https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/news/roya ... line-curt9), [\[soyfutbol.com\]](https://www.soyfutbol.com/en/news/Is-No ... -0057.html)

***

### **Conclusion**

* A straight **1-for-1** swap would **favor the Royals**.
* To balance value, **Cardinals must include a mid-tier prospect** alongside Donovan.
* The package needs to reflect fair value for Cameron’s control and upside—and meet the Royals’ need for offense.

***

I’d do a 1 for 1 trade or even throw in a low level prospect for Cameron.

AI suggested throwing in Saggesse

[Talkin' Baseball]

Aim higher. There are more fertile teams, there are more fruitful targets.