If Bloom can't get a windfall for Donovan

[Cusecards]

Would the returns for Contreras, Romero, Nootbaar, Arenado and a catcher bring back enough help for the next few seasons to make not trading Donovan a better choice? I think so. With the added starting pitching An infield of Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B and adding a really productive outfield hitter might be very competitive for, at least, a wildcard in '26. Adding a really productive outfield hitter, somehow, is probably the key.

How can an impactful outfield hitter be acquired for next season without trading Donovan for one? Or could it be Herrera?

Technically.....if you were to deal Arenado and Noot you could still have a solid OF bat in Donovan and Burleson.
Not to mention Herrera could be converted to LF also?

I was thinking more of Donovan at 3B, Burleson at 1B.

Lots of potential moves that will create domino affect.
Patience.

[Pura Vida]

Donovan is your best all around player...can play 2nd, 3rd, RF, LF and believe it or not, there is interest.(sarcasm) They have much dead weight who are not performing...sorry! This is ridiculous unless Bloom scores BIG! Not to mention, Donovan plays "the Cardinal way".

Just because he can play those positions doesn’t mean he can play them particularly well.

Versatility is nice, but he was a mediocre defender at both 2B & LF.

A headline from 2022...ST. LOUIS -- MLB’s gold standard at third base, Nolan Arenado, nabbed his 10th straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award, while standout rookie Brendan Donovan beat out Cardinals teammate Tommy Edman to become the National League’s first utility Gold Glove Award winner on Tuesday night.

Of all the medicore stats and players, and yet we are trading DONOVAN???

[BleedingBleu]

Donovan is your best all around player...can play 2nd, 3rd, RF, LF and believe it or not, there is interest.(sarcasm) They have much dead weight who are not performing...sorry! This is ridiculous unless Bloom scores BIG! Not to mention, Donovan plays "the Cardinal way".

Just because he can play those positions doesn’t mean he can play them particularly well.

Versatility is nice, but he was a mediocre defender at both 2B & LF.

A headline from 2022...ST. LOUIS -- MLB’s gold standard at third base, Nolan Arenado, nabbed his 10th straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award, while standout rookie Brendan Donovan beat out Cardinals teammate Tommy Edman to become the National League’s first utility Gold Glove Award winner on Tuesday night.

Of all the medicore stats and players, and yet we are trading DONOVAN???

That was 3 years ago, when he had a 4.0 WAR over 126 Games. This season he was 2.7 WAR w/more Plate Appearances.

In 2025, he was -2 Rdrs & -7 Rtot at 2nd base. He was also -2 Rdrs & -2 Rtot in the Outfield.

[Pura Vida]

Donovan is your best all around player...can play 2nd, 3rd, RF, LF and believe it or not, there is interest.(sarcasm) They have much dead weight who are not performing...sorry! This is ridiculous unless Bloom scores BIG! Not to mention, Donovan plays "the Cardinal way".

Just because he can play those positions doesn’t mean he can play them particularly well.

Versatility is nice, but he was a mediocre defender at both 2B & LF.

A headline from 2022...ST. LOUIS -- MLB’s gold standard at third base, Nolan Arenado, nabbed his 10th straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award, while standout rookie Brendan Donovan beat out Cardinals teammate Tommy Edman to become the National League’s first utility Gold Glove Award winner on Tuesday night.

Of all the medicore stats and players, and yet we are trading DONOVAN???

That was 3 years ago, when he had a 4.0 WAR over 126 Games. This season he was 2.7 WAR w/more Plate Appearances.

In 2025, he was -2 Rdrs & -7 Rtot at 2nd base. He was also -2 Rdrs & -2 Rtot in the Outfield.

Sorry, but that earns you a duh! He won a GG as a rookie! Sorry he doesn't win the GG every year. Getting silly1

[BleedingBleu]

Donovan is your best all around player...can play 2nd, 3rd, RF, LF and believe it or not, there is interest.(sarcasm) They have much dead weight who are not performing...sorry! This is ridiculous unless Bloom scores BIG! Not to mention, Donovan plays "the Cardinal way".

Just because he can play those positions doesn’t mean he can play them particularly well.

Versatility is nice, but he was a mediocre defender at both 2B & LF.

A headline from 2022...ST. LOUIS -- MLB’s gold standard at third base, Nolan Arenado, nabbed his 10th straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award, while standout rookie Brendan Donovan beat out Cardinals teammate Tommy Edman to become the National League’s first utility Gold Glove Award winner on Tuesday night.

Of all the medicore stats and players, and yet we are trading DONOVAN???

That was 3 years ago, when he had a 4.0 WAR over 126 Games. This season he was 2.7 WAR w/more Plate Appearances.

In 2025, he was -2 Rdrs & -7 Rtot at 2nd base. He was also -2 Rdrs & -2 Rtot in the Outfield.

Sorry, but that earns you a duh! He won a GG as a rookie! Sorry he doesn't win the GG every year. Getting silly1

Because his actual advanced statistics today don’t align with his accolades from 4 years ago?

I’d be curious how one qualifies for the Utility Player Gold Glove? Sounds like the competition is mediocre at best…

[sikeston bulldog2]

Donovan is your best all around player...can play 2nd, 3rd, RF, LF and believe it or not, there is interest.(sarcasm) They have much dead weight who are not performing...sorry! This is ridiculous unless Bloom scores BIG! Not to mention, Donovan plays "the Cardinal way".

Just because he can play those positions doesn’t mean he can play them particularly well.

Versatility is nice, but he was a mediocre defender at both 2B & LF.

A headline from 2022...ST. LOUIS -- MLB’s gold standard at third base, Nolan Arenado, nabbed his 10th straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award, while standout rookie Brendan Donovan beat out Cardinals teammate Tommy Edman to become the National League’s first utility Gold Glove Award winner on Tuesday night.

Of all the medicore stats and players, and yet we are trading DONOVAN???

That was 3 years ago, when he had a 4.0 WAR over 126 Games. This season he was 2.7 WAR w/more Plate Appearances.

In 2025, he was -2 Rdrs & -7 Rtot at 2nd base. He was also -2 Rdrs & -2 Rtot in the Outfield.

Sorry, but that earns you a duh! He won a GG as a rookie! Sorry he doesn't win the GG every year. Getting silly1

Because his actual advanced statistics today don’t align with his accolades from 4 years ago?

I’d be curious how one qualifies for the Utility Player Gold Glove? Sounds like the competition is mediocre at best…

Regardless of criteria I’d think a good glove is a given. As for rande arm speed power, etc, I know not how it factors in.

[Pura Vida]

Donovan is your best all around player...can play 2nd, 3rd, RF, LF and believe it or not, there is interest.(sarcasm) They have much dead weight who are not performing...sorry! This is ridiculous unless Bloom scores BIG! Not to mention, Donovan plays "the Cardinal way".

Just because he can play those positions doesn’t mean he can play them particularly well.

Versatility is nice, but he was a mediocre defender at both 2B & LF.

A headline from 2022...ST. LOUIS -- MLB’s gold standard at third base, Nolan Arenado, nabbed his 10th straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award, while standout rookie Brendan Donovan beat out Cardinals teammate Tommy Edman to become the National League’s first utility Gold Glove Award winner on Tuesday night.

Of all the medicore stats and players, and yet we are trading DONOVAN???

That was 3 years ago, when he had a 4.0 WAR over 126 Games. This season he was 2.7 WAR w/more Plate Appearances.

In 2025, he was -2 Rdrs & -7 Rtot at 2nd base. He was also -2 Rdrs & -2 Rtot in the Outfield.

Sorry, but that earns you a duh! He won a GG as a rookie! Sorry he doesn't win the GG every year. Getting silly1

Because his actual advanced statistics today don’t align with his accolades from 4 years ago?

I’d be curious how one qualifies for the Utility Player Gold Glove? Sounds like the competition is mediocre at best…

Considering the DH in both leagues, a Utility GG is in order. Any GG is a symbol of excellence no matter the positions. He won as a Rookie in 2022. He is an excellent RF, LFer. When our outfield is a MESS, put him out there in LF and let the rookie play second. And in this salary dump, he is inexpensive. He plays the game the right way and that is good for "the rebuild" to rub off on the rookies.

[BleedingBleu]

Donovan is your best all around player...can play 2nd, 3rd, RF, LF and believe it or not, there is interest.(sarcasm) They have much dead weight who are not performing...sorry! This is ridiculous unless Bloom scores BIG! Not to mention, Donovan plays "the Cardinal way".

Just because he can play those positions doesn’t mean he can play them particularly well.

Versatility is nice, but he was a mediocre defender at both 2B & LF.

A headline from 2022...ST. LOUIS -- MLB’s gold standard at third base, Nolan Arenado, nabbed his 10th straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award, while standout rookie Brendan Donovan beat out Cardinals teammate Tommy Edman to become the National League’s first utility Gold Glove Award winner on Tuesday night.

Of all the medicore stats and players, and yet we are trading DONOVAN???

That was 3 years ago, when he had a 4.0 WAR over 126 Games. This season he was 2.7 WAR w/more Plate Appearances.

In 2025, he was -2 Rdrs & -7 Rtot at 2nd base. He was also -2 Rdrs & -2 Rtot in the Outfield.

Sorry, but that earns you a duh! He won a GG as a rookie! Sorry he doesn't win the GG every year. Getting silly1

Because his actual advanced statistics today don’t align with his accolades from 4 years ago?

I’d be curious how one qualifies for the Utility Player Gold Glove? Sounds like the competition is mediocre at best…

Considering the DH in both leagues, a Utility GG is in order. Any GG is a symbol of excellence no matter the positions. He won as a Rookie in 2022. He is an excellent RF, LFer. When our outfield is a MESS, put him out there in LF and let the rookie play second. And in this salary dump, he is inexpensive. He plays the game the right way and that is good for "the rebuild" to rub off on the rookies.

You think he’s an excellent outfielder? He has no range.

Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and OAA both reflect that he gets to most routine balls, but doesn’t expand his zone like elite defenders. Also, his Arm Strength Is Only Average.

Why do you think the interested teams are all looking at him to play 2nd?

[Pura Vida]

Donovan is your best all around player...can play 2nd, 3rd, RF, LF and believe it or not, there is interest.(sarcasm) They have much dead weight who are not performing...sorry! This is ridiculous unless Bloom scores BIG! Not to mention, Donovan plays "the Cardinal way".

Just because he can play those positions doesn’t mean he can play them particularly well.

Versatility is nice, but he was a mediocre defender at both 2B & LF.

A headline from 2022...ST. LOUIS -- MLB’s gold standard at third base, Nolan Arenado, nabbed his 10th straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award, while standout rookie Brendan Donovan beat out Cardinals teammate Tommy Edman to become the National League’s first utility Gold Glove Award winner on Tuesday night.

Of all the medicore stats and players, and yet we are trading DONOVAN???

That was 3 years ago, when he had a 4.0 WAR over 126 Games. This season he was 2.7 WAR w/more Plate Appearances.

In 2025, he was -2 Rdrs & -7 Rtot at 2nd base. He was also -2 Rdrs & -2 Rtot in the Outfield.

Sorry, but that earns you a duh! He won a GG as a rookie! Sorry he doesn't win the GG every year. Getting silly1

Because his actual advanced statistics today don’t align with his accolades from 4 years ago?

I’d be curious how one qualifies for the Utility Player Gold Glove? Sounds like the competition is mediocre at best…

Considering the DH in both leagues, a Utility GG is in order. Any GG is a symbol of excellence no matter the positions. He won as a Rookie in 2022. He is an excellent RF, LFer. When our outfield is a MESS, put him out there in LF and let the rookie play second. And in this salary dump, he is inexpensive. He plays the game the right way and that is good for "the rebuild" to rub off on the rookies.

You think he’s an excellent outfielder? He has no range.

Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and OAA both reflect that he gets to most routine balls, but doesn’t expand his zone like elite defenders. Also, his Arm Strength Is Only Average.

Why do you think the interested teams are all looking at him to play 2nd?

For the record, he won the utility GG for his play at 2nd and LF. His strength of the two is 2nd, hence the interest. But in the Cards case they want the rookie at 2nd...fine. Donovan's bat more than helps the team aside from his defense. Better than any current OFer on the roster. What's not to like?

[BleedingBleu]

Because his actual advanced statistics today don’t align with his accolades from 4 years ago?

I’d be curious how one qualifies for the Utility Player Gold Glove? Sounds like the competition is mediocre at best…

Considering the DH in both leagues, a Utility GG is in order. Any GG is a symbol of excellence no matter the positions. He won as a Rookie in 2022. He is an excellent RF, LFer. When our outfield is a MESS, put him out there in LF and let the rookie play second. And in this salary dump, he is inexpensive. He plays the game the right way and that is good for "the rebuild" to rub off on the rookies.

You think he’s an excellent outfielder? He has no range.

Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and OAA both reflect that he gets to most routine balls, but doesn’t expand his zone like elite defenders. Also, his Arm Strength Is Only Average.

Why do you think the interested teams are all looking at him to play 2nd?

For the record, he won the utility GG for his play at 2nd and LF. His strength of the two is 2nd, hence the interest. But in the Cards case they want the rookie at 2nd...fine. Donovan's bat more than helps the team aside from his defense. Better than any current OFer on the roster. What's not to like?

Yet, he somehow won it over Tommy Edman. As stated earlier, Donovan’s advanced stats show his defense is mediocre because of range and arm strength. In 2022, Donovan actually played more games at 3rd (31G, 189.0 Inn) than Left (19G, 143.0 Inn). If you want to argue which positional play won him the Utility GG, it was Third (9 tot, 7 Rdrs). He was… wait for it… mediocre at 2nd (-1 tot, 0 Rdrs).

2022 Tommy Edman was exceptional at 2B (89G, 614.2 Inn, 6 Rtot, 12 Rdrs) and Shortstop (80G, 622.0 Inn, 3 Rtot, 6 Rdrs). 2022 Edman was basically punished because he was a substantially better fielder at positions where defense is prioritized. There is no other reason to award Donnie the 2022 GG over Tommy other than the fact Brendan played more games at non-premium positions. As we’d later discover, Tommy is one hell of a Centerfielder, too (2023 - 42G, 310.2 Inn, 3 Rtot, 2 Rdrs).

Look, this isn’t about hating on Brendan Donovan, but he is a “Super UT” and that’s a luxury for a good team. The 2025 Cardinals were not a good team and there’s nothing to suggest the 2026 team will be any better. Donovan’s value is at its peak, and if you can get multiple Top Prospects, you do it. No sport anywhere will you find a Bench Player valued over a Starter.

Do you want to keep Nolan Arenado? Arenado is still capable of actual Gold Glove Defense. Many consider him the defacto clubhouse leader. You may want him to stick around to cultivate the young JJ Wetherholt while playing on another sub .500 team.

What about Willson Contreras? The Cardinals were Top 10 in collective WAR at First Base, predominantly from Contreras’ play. Do you want to retain a 34 year old Contreras to give fans a reason to come through the turnstiles?

The reality is, this franchise needs better overall players… just about everywhere. Not a positionless above average offensive player who plays mediocre defense just about everywhere.