Astros interested in Brendan Donovan

[ramfandan]

reports Chandler Rome of The Athletic

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/ ... novan.html



Donovan is an obvious target. The Astros skew very right-handed. They tried to balance the lineup with the deadline trade for Jesús Sánchez from the Marlins. Sánchez was terrible down the stretch and is probably going to be traded or non-tendered within the next week. That leaves the Astros with only Yordan Alvarez as an everyday left-handed bat. Rookie outfielders Zach Cole or Jacob Melton could play their way into the mix, but it’s clear that adding a lefty hitter will be a priority.

[earp]

Cards dont have a very good history with Astros, and the Astros do not have anything to trade. Hope we shy away from that one!

[ramfandan]

The good thing for Bloom is that apparently he has several teams inquiring on Donovan. Bloom will have many offers to sift thru . Most likely the trading partner will be offering multiple players in this deal . The odds of a 1 for 1 I would think are pretty slim .

[mattmitchl44]

What would BTV say the value of Brice Matthews is vs. Donovan?

Would the Cardinals ask for Matthews with an eye toward converting him to the OF?

[NYCardsFan]

What would BTV say the value of Brice Matthews is vs. Donovan?

Would the Cardinals ask for Matthews with an eye toward converting him to the OF?

Matthews: 13.2
Donovan: 32.1

Word of caution: Donovan’s estimated value jumped from 26.1 to 32.1 in the past week, with no explanation or bridge. The prior 26.1 was an updated estimate from after the conclusion of the regular season, so this latest revision appears to be entirely model-related. Unannounced changes in estimates with no bridging are one of the aspects of BTV I’m not particularly fond of.

[mattmitchl44]

What would BTV say the value of Brice Matthews is vs. Donovan?

Would the Cardinals ask for Matthews with an eye toward converting him to the OF?

Matthews: 13.2
Donovan: 32.1

Word of caution: Donovan’s estimated value jumped from 26.1 to 32.1 in the past week, with no explanation or bridge. The prior 26.1 was an updated estimate from after the conclusion of the regular season, so this latest revision appears to be entirely model-related. Random changes in estimates without bridging are one of the aspects of BTV I’m not particularly fond of.

So we're at least talking Matthews+ from the Astros. Maybe even plus two of Bryce Mayer, Ryan Forcucci, Miguel Ullola, etc.?

[NYCardsFan]

What would BTV say the value of Brice Matthews is vs. Donovan?

Would the Cardinals ask for Matthews with an eye toward converting him to the OF?

Matthews: 13.2
Donovan: 32.1

Word of caution: Donovan’s estimated value jumped from 26.1 to 32.1 in the past week, with no explanation or bridge. The prior 26.1 was an updated estimate from after the conclusion of the regular season, so this latest revision appears to be entirely model-related. Random changes in estimates without bridging are one of the aspects of BTV I’m not particularly fond of.

So we're at least talking Matthews+ from the Astros. Maybe even plus two of Bryce Mayer, Ryan Forcucci, Miguel Ullola, etc.?

Mayer: 3.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8

A user actually tested the following deal this morning:

Donovan: 32.1
Total Value: 32.1

FOR

Matthews: 13.2
Xavier Neyens: 9.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8
Total Value: 31.8

[mattmitchl44]

What would BTV say the value of Brice Matthews is vs. Donovan?

Would the Cardinals ask for Matthews with an eye toward converting him to the OF?

Matthews: 13.2
Donovan: 32.1

Word of caution: Donovan’s estimated value jumped from 26.1 to 32.1 in the past week, with no explanation or bridge. The prior 26.1 was an updated estimate from after the conclusion of the regular season, so this latest revision appears to be entirely model-related. Random changes in estimates without bridging are one of the aspects of BTV I’m not particularly fond of.

So we're at least talking Matthews+ from the Astros. Maybe even plus two of Bryce Mayer, Ryan Forcucci, Miguel Ullola, etc.?

Mayer: 3.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8

A user actually tested the following deal this morning:

Donovan: 32.1
Total Value: 32.1

FOR

Matthews: 13.2
Xavier Neyens: 9.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8
Total Value: 31.8

I guess I'm surprised that BTV is that low on the Astros prospects. If the Cardinals could get all that, seems like a deal worth making.

Fangraphs has Matthews, Neyens, Forcucci, and Ullola as the Astros 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 11th ranked prospects, respectively. MLB.com has them as 1st (Matthews), 3rd (Neyens), 5th (Ullola), and 10th (Forcucci).

[NYCardsFan]

What would BTV say the value of Brice Matthews is vs. Donovan?

Would the Cardinals ask for Matthews with an eye toward converting him to the OF?

Matthews: 13.2
Donovan: 32.1

Word of caution: Donovan’s estimated value jumped from 26.1 to 32.1 in the past week, with no explanation or bridge. The prior 26.1 was an updated estimate from after the conclusion of the regular season, so this latest revision appears to be entirely model-related. Random changes in estimates without bridging are one of the aspects of BTV I’m not particularly fond of.

So we're at least talking Matthews+ from the Astros. Maybe even plus two of Bryce Mayer, Ryan Forcucci, Miguel Ullola, etc.?

Mayer: 3.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8

A user actually tested the following deal this morning:

Donovan: 32.1
Total Value: 32.1

FOR

Matthews: 13.2
Xavier Neyens: 9.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8
Total Value: 31.8

I guess I'm surprised that BTV is that low on the Astros prospects. If the Cardinals could get all that, seems like a deal worth making.

Fangraphs has Matthews, Neyens, Forcucci, and Ullola as the Astros 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 11th ranked prospects, respectively. MLB.com has them as 1st (Matthews), 3rd (Neyens), 5th (Ullola), and 10th (Forcucci).

Fangraphs ranks the Astros’ overall farm system 29th in MLB (only $1mm away from dead last), so I suppose it directionally makes sense. Several of those guys wouldn’t be top 10 prospects in other systems.

[mattmitchl44]

What would BTV say the value of Brice Matthews is vs. Donovan?

Would the Cardinals ask for Matthews with an eye toward converting him to the OF?

Matthews: 13.2
Donovan: 32.1

Word of caution: Donovan’s estimated value jumped from 26.1 to 32.1 in the past week, with no explanation or bridge. The prior 26.1 was an updated estimate from after the conclusion of the regular season, so this latest revision appears to be entirely model-related. Random changes in estimates without bridging are one of the aspects of BTV I’m not particularly fond of.

So we're at least talking Matthews+ from the Astros. Maybe even plus two of Bryce Mayer, Ryan Forcucci, Miguel Ullola, etc.?

Mayer: 3.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8

A user actually tested the following deal this morning:

Donovan: 32.1
Total Value: 32.1

FOR

Matthews: 13.2
Xavier Neyens: 9.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8
Total Value: 31.8

I guess I'm surprised that BTV is that low on the Astros prospects. If the Cardinals could get all that, seems like a deal worth making.

Fangraphs has Matthews, Neyens, Forcucci, and Ullola as the Astros 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 11th ranked prospects, respectively. MLB.com has them as 1st (Matthews), 3rd (Neyens), 5th (Ullola), and 10th (Forcucci).

Fangraphs ranks the Astros’ overall farm system 29th in MLB (only $1mm away from dead last), so I suppose it directionally makes sense. Several of those guys wouldn’t be top 10 prospects in other systems.

Fair point.

FG has their values as 45, 45, 40+ and 40+, which might slot them 10th to 18th in the Cardinals system.

[ScotchMIrish]

reports Chandler Rome of The Athletic

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/ ... novan.html



Donovan is an obvious target. The Astros skew very right-handed. They tried to balance the lineup with the deadline trade for Jesús Sánchez from the Marlins. Sánchez was terrible down the stretch and is probably going to be traded or non-tendered within the next week. That leaves the Astros with only Yordan Alvarez as an everyday left-handed bat. Rookie outfielders Zach Cole or Jacob Melton could play their way into the mix, but it’s clear that adding a lefty hitter will be a priority.

I'm sure a lot of teams would like to have Donovan. The question is what will they give up in return and how do we replace Donovan's bat and gold glove defense?

[45s]

Donovan is a nice player that would address multiple needs of the Stros..

but not for Mathews…..he’s the future at second base..

As others have pointed out, the cupboard is pretty bare at the higher levels in the H organization

A few players in the lower levels….but they are a long way off…..if they make it all..

[rockondlouie]

All contending teams will be sniffing around Donny, should allow C. Bloom to create a bidding war and up the return!

[Talkin' Baseball]

What would BTV say the value of Brice Matthews is vs. Donovan?

Would the Cardinals ask for Matthews with an eye toward converting him to the OF?

Matthews: 13.2
Donovan: 32.1

Word of caution: Donovan’s estimated value jumped from 26.1 to 32.1 in the past week, with no explanation or bridge. The prior 26.1 was an updated estimate from after the conclusion of the regular season, so this latest revision appears to be entirely model-related. Random changes in estimates without bridging are one of the aspects of BTV I’m not particularly fond of.

So we're at least talking Matthews+ from the Astros. Maybe even plus two of Bryce Mayer, Ryan Forcucci, Miguel Ullola, etc.?

Mayer: 3.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8

A user actually tested the following deal this morning:

Donovan: 32.1
Total Value: 32.1

FOR

Matthews: 13.2
Xavier Neyens: 9.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8
Total Value: 31.8

I guess I'm surprised that BTV is that low on the Astros prospects. If the Cardinals could get all that, seems like a deal worth making.

Fangraphs has Matthews, Neyens, Forcucci, and Ullola as the Astros 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 11th ranked prospects, respectively. MLB.com has them as 1st (Matthews), 3rd (Neyens), 5th (Ullola), and 10th (Forcucci).

Yes, but their system sucks.

[craviduce]

What would BTV say the value of Brice Matthews is vs. Donovan?

Would the Cardinals ask for Matthews with an eye toward converting him to the OF?

Matthews: 13.2
Donovan: 32.1

Word of caution: Donovan’s estimated value jumped from 26.1 to 32.1 in the past week, with no explanation or bridge. The prior 26.1 was an updated estimate from after the conclusion of the regular season, so this latest revision appears to be entirely model-related. Random changes in estimates without bridging are one of the aspects of BTV I’m not particularly fond of.

So we're at least talking Matthews+ from the Astros. Maybe even plus two of Bryce Mayer, Ryan Forcucci, Miguel Ullola, etc.?

Mayer: 3.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8

A user actually tested the following deal this morning:

Donovan: 32.1
Total Value: 32.1

FOR

Matthews: 13.2
Xavier Neyens: 9.3
Forcucci: 5.5
Ullola: 3.8
Total Value: 31.8

I guess I'm surprised that BTV is that low on the Astros prospects. If the Cardinals could get all that, seems like a deal worth making.

Fangraphs has Matthews, Neyens, Forcucci, and Ullola as the Astros 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 11th ranked prospects, respectively. MLB.com has them as 1st (Matthews), 3rd (Neyens), 5th (Ullola), and 10th (Forcucci).

Yes, but their system sucks.

their hitters are basically swing for the fences, maybe you get a hit type hitters...Power before Hit tool. Neyens is the prize there. Best upside of the bunch. Was a Top 10 mock draftee heading into the preseason last year. Other SS/3B surpassed him throughout the year. Tremendous power potential. He might figure it out. Only 18yo...I think, this will be his 19yo year in 2026.

their latin pitchers always seem to rise to the top. Don't sleep on them. The Astros know how to develop latin pitchers.