Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

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Alex Reyes Cy Young
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by Alex Reyes Cy Young »

Clubmaker2 wrote: 20 Dec 2025 10:02 am Should teams overpay to get their lesser choice.. is BD really a player you are desperate for .
I don't think so, he is more of a nice to have than a must, IMO. Does he fill a need, sure a solid bat who can play D. But where does he fit on team looking to make a run at the playoffs? I would be content on some premium arms or some permutation of arms and a defensive dynamo. Big time bats aren't coming over for Donovan.

Hope I am wrong...
AZ_Cardsfan
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by AZ_Cardsfan »

12xu wrote: 20 Dec 2025 08:55 am
Alex Reyes Cy Young wrote: 20 Dec 2025 07:21 am Kind of weird they are struggling to move Donovan. Other teams seems to be having success.

I really expected him to be the easiest to be moved.
Bloom is waiting for the best possible return, which is the correct approach. There are still several IF alternatives out there now, such as Marte, and once one or more are signed, the remaining teams in play will be more likely to part with better players.
I agree he is getting offers from several suitors. Not gonna be a "haul" for Donovan but a quality prospect or two is reasonable. He is probably waiting for someone to blink and up their offer. I will opine he SHOULD do the deal this year and not wait. No way we wait until the break like they did with Fedde and Helsley. Both would have returned much more value had they moved them in December. I don't see much upside in Donovan but there is risk he slumps or gets injured.
Melville
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by Melville »

Alex Reyes Cy Young wrote: 20 Dec 2025 10:06 am
Clubmaker2 wrote: 20 Dec 2025 10:02 am Should teams overpay to get their lesser choice.. is BD really a player you are desperate for .
I don't think so, he is more of a nice to have than a must, IMO. Does he fill a need, sure a solid bat who can play D. But where does he fit on team looking to make a run at the playoffs? I would be content on some premium arms or some permutation of arms and a defensive dynamo. Big time bats aren't coming over for Donovan.

Hope I am wrong...
Keep an eye on the Dodgers and A's.
Both could surprise.
Well, surprise everyone but me that is.
Also, don't rule out the A's concerning N/A either.
ramfandan
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by ramfandan »

Melville wrote: 20 Dec 2025 12:13 pm
Alex Reyes Cy Young wrote: 20 Dec 2025 10:06 am
Clubmaker2 wrote: 20 Dec 2025 10:02 am Should teams overpay to get their lesser choice.. is BD really a player you are desperate for .
I don't think so, he is more of a nice to have than a must, IMO. Does he fill a need, sure a solid bat who can play D. But where does he fit on team looking to make a run at the playoffs? I would be content on some premium arms or some permutation of arms and a defensive dynamo. Big time bats aren't coming over for Donovan.

Hope I am wrong...
Keep an eye on the Dodgers and A's.
Both could surprise.
Well, surprise everyone but me that is.
Also, don't rule out the A's concerning N/A either.
Surprise everyone but me that is ?
Donovan has been linked to Dodgers nationally previously . Here is just one link from a week ago .
https://www.facebook.com/dodgerblue1958 ... 73Jfpokfl/
While Seattle and San Fran have been getting most of the pub as 'leading teams for Donovan ' .. Dodgers have certainly been mentioned and the A
's also ..
Yes, the Oakland A's have been mentioned in rumors related to Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, though they are considered less likely suitors compared to the frontrunners

Anyone surprised just has not been following the upteen reports on possible landing spots.
Melville
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by Melville »

ramfandan wrote: 20 Dec 2025 15:57 pm
Melville wrote: 20 Dec 2025 12:13 pm
Alex Reyes Cy Young wrote: 20 Dec 2025 10:06 am
Clubmaker2 wrote: 20 Dec 2025 10:02 am Should teams overpay to get their lesser choice.. is BD really a player you are desperate for .
I don't think so, he is more of a nice to have than a must, IMO. Does he fill a need, sure a solid bat who can play D. But where does he fit on team looking to make a run at the playoffs? I would be content on some premium arms or some permutation of arms and a defensive dynamo. Big time bats aren't coming over for Donovan.

Hope I am wrong...
Keep an eye on the Dodgers and A's.
Both could surprise.
Well, surprise everyone but me that is.
Also, don't rule out the A's concerning N/A either.
Surprise everyone but me that is ?
Donovan has been linked to Dodgers nationally previously . Here is just one link from a week ago .
https://www.facebook.com/dodgerblue1958 ... 73Jfpokfl/
While Seattle and San Fran have been getting most of the pub as 'leading teams for Donovan ' .. Dodgers have certainly been mentioned and the A
's also ..
Yes, the Oakland A's have been mentioned in rumors related to Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, though they are considered less likely suitors compared to the frontrunners

Anyone surprised just has not been following the upteen reports on possible landing spots.
Never about me.
Only and always about the game.
Have no objection to what others post.
Good to see others understanding, and picking up on, my analysis.
CardsBest
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by CardsBest »

Melville wrote: 20 Dec 2025 08:01 am
WeeVikes wrote: 19 Dec 2025 20:33 pm
Melville wrote: 19 Dec 2025 19:46 pm
67 Husky wrote: 19 Dec 2025 16:49 pm Three team trade Pirates, Rays, Astros. Should open up opportunities for a Donovan move.
"Is Donovan next?"
Two possible answers.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
As usual, my friend, your analysis is succinct, complete, and on target, as I’ve come to expect! :wink:
Added benefit.
My 95%+ accuracy rate is maintained.
Your worst miss was your Love for Gorman.
Melville
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by Melville »

CardsBest wrote: 20 Dec 2025 22:51 pm
Melville wrote: 20 Dec 2025 08:01 am
WeeVikes wrote: 19 Dec 2025 20:33 pm
Melville wrote: 19 Dec 2025 19:46 pm
67 Husky wrote: 19 Dec 2025 16:49 pm Three team trade Pirates, Rays, Astros. Should open up opportunities for a Donovan move.
"Is Donovan next?"
Two possible answers.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
As usual, my friend, your analysis is succinct, complete, and on target, as I’ve come to expect! :wink:
Added benefit.
My 95%+ accuracy rate is maintained.
Your worst miss was your Love for Gorman.
Never for or against any player.
Simply accurate analysis, free of bias, free of agenda.
However, no person is perfect, and I am no exception - once in a very great while my analysis is not fully correct (invariably due to factors beyond my control.
To this point, I believe my analysis of Gorman has been correct - but feel free to make an argument to the contrary if you would like.
Happy to take it under consideration and review.
Carp4Cy
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by Carp4Cy »

ScotchMIrish wrote: 19 Dec 2025 20:42 pm Pirates just got a lot better. Mangum will bat in the top of their lineup. Lowe 3rd or 4th.

Pirates probably wanted more than just Donovan for Burrows but that's a young pitcher with high potential to become a fixture in the rotation.

Why is Pitt spending money/prospects? Shouldn’t they be rebuilding, again? They aren’t good enough to have reached critical mass yet.
Ozziesfan41
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by Ozziesfan41 »

Carp4Cy wrote: 20 Dec 2025 23:24 pm
ScotchMIrish wrote: 19 Dec 2025 20:42 pm Pirates just got a lot better. Mangum will bat in the top of their lineup. Lowe 3rd or 4th.

Pirates probably wanted more than just Donovan for Burrows but that's a young pitcher with high potential to become a fixture in the rotation.

Why is Pitt spending money/prospects? Shouldn’t they be rebuilding, again? They aren’t good enough to have reached critical mass yet.
It’s very obvious why they are doing it they have the best starter in the majors and aren’t going to be able sign him so they are going to try to go for it now while they still have him
Carp4Cy
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by Carp4Cy »

:oops:
Ozziesfan41 wrote: 20 Dec 2025 23:30 pm
Carp4Cy wrote: 20 Dec 2025 23:24 pm
ScotchMIrish wrote: 19 Dec 2025 20:42 pm Pirates just got a lot better. Mangum will bat in the top of their lineup. Lowe 3rd or 4th.

Pirates probably wanted more than just Donovan for Burrows but that's a young pitcher with high potential to become a fixture in the rotation.

Why is Pitt spending money/prospects? Shouldn’t they be rebuilding, again? They aren’t good enough to have reached critical mass yet.
It’s very obvious why they are doing it they have the best starter in the majors and aren’t going to be able sign him so they are going to try to go for it now while they still have him
They should instead work some kind of three or four a trade to trade skenes for a decade worth of prospects. Because nothing they do now is going to land them on top.
Ozziesfan41
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by Ozziesfan41 »

Carp4Cy wrote: 21 Dec 2025 00:42 am :oops:
Ozziesfan41 wrote: 20 Dec 2025 23:30 pm
Carp4Cy wrote: 20 Dec 2025 23:24 pm
ScotchMIrish wrote: 19 Dec 2025 20:42 pm Pirates just got a lot better. Mangum will bat in the top of their lineup. Lowe 3rd or 4th.

Pirates probably wanted more than just Donovan for Burrows but that's a young pitcher with high potential to become a fixture in the rotation.

Why is Pitt spending money/prospects? Shouldn’t they be rebuilding, again? They aren’t good enough to have reached critical mass yet.
It’s very obvious why they are doing it they have the best starter in the majors and aren’t going to be able sign him so they are going to try to go for it now while they still have him
They should instead work some kind of three or four a trade to trade skenes for a decade worth of prospects. Because nothing they do now is going to land them on top.
They will end up trading him for a big haul but they are still going to try to go for it with him first if they can squeak in with him at the top of the rotation going two times in a series they think they have a chance. Aren’t you one of the ones that thinks the post season is a (bleep) shoot and just get in and anything can happen if so then you should agree with what they’re doing
Whatashame
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by Whatashame »

This is just about being patient. My guess is that some of the same teams that are in on Marte are in on Donovan. Marte is the better option for teams in the “win now” mode. Once Arizona decides what they are going to do, the Donovan talk should pick up. I would guess that some of the same prospect names are being tossed around for either player. Seems like Seattle, Boston, the NY teams, Toronto have been linked to both Donovan and Marte. Maybe the bidding for Marte will become too uncomfortable and someone will pivot to Donovan.

I could see both Donovan and Romero being in a package to increase the return. I’m anxious too but I believe Marte is slowing the Donovan move down.

About the Pirates, it’s probably now or wait a while for them. Unless Skenes decides to take a team friendly deal to stay in Pittsburgh, it’s only a matter of time before the Pirates move him because they can’t afford him. We will see what happens with Skubal but Detroit is in a win now mode but are considering moving arguably the best pitcher in baseball because they are afraid they won’t be able to afford him. Of course, the Dodgers are front and center.
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by renostl »

Whatashame wrote: 21 Dec 2025 01:18 am This is just about being patient. My guess is that some of the same teams that are in on Marte are in on Donovan. Marte is the better option for teams in the “win now” mode. Once Arizona decides what they are going to do, the Donovan talk should pick up. I would guess that some of the same prospect names are being tossed around for either player. Seems like Seattle, Boston, the NY teams, Toronto have been linked to both Donovan and Marte. Maybe the bidding for Marte will become too uncomfortable and someone will pivot to Donovan.

I could see both Donovan and Romero being in a package to increase the return. I’m anxious too but I believe Marte is slowing the Donovan move down.

About the Pirates, it’s probably now or wait a while for them. Unless Skenes decides to take a team friendly deal to stay in Pittsburgh, it’s only a matter of time before the Pirates move him because they can’t afford him. We will see what happens with Skubal but Detroit is in a win now mode but are considering moving arguably the best pitcher in baseball because they are afraid they won’t be able to afford him. Of course, the Dodgers are front and center.
AZ might close one door and open their own.
There's overlap for the two players but not exactly all the same teams.

Adding to Donovan has been a good position as long as it
increases quality and not quantity. Teams usually have a couple
players that are close to untouchable. Donnie won't get JJ and neither
will Donnie plus JoJo.
I really don't care who they add to him just as long as it
increases the topside of the return.
renostl
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by renostl »

Ozziesfan41 wrote: 21 Dec 2025 00:57 am
Carp4Cy wrote: 21 Dec 2025 00:42 am :oops:
Ozziesfan41 wrote: 20 Dec 2025 23:30 pm
Carp4Cy wrote: 20 Dec 2025 23:24 pm
ScotchMIrish wrote: 19 Dec 2025 20:42 pm Pirates just got a lot better. Mangum will bat in the top of their lineup. Lowe 3rd or 4th.

Pirates probably wanted more than just Donovan for Burrows but that's a young pitcher with high potential to become a fixture in the rotation.

Why is Pitt spending money/prospects? Shouldn’t they be rebuilding, again? They aren’t good enough to have reached critical mass yet.
It’s very obvious why they are doing it they have the best starter in the majors and aren’t going to be able sign him so they are going to try to go for it now while they still have him
They should instead work some kind of three or four a trade to trade skenes for a decade worth of prospects. Because nothing they do now is going to land them on top.
They will end up trading him for a big haul but they are still going to try to go for it with him first if they can squeak in with him at the top of the rotation going two times in a series they think they have a chance. Aren’t you one of the ones that thinks the post season is a (bleep) shoot and just get in and anything can happen if so then you should agree with what they’re doing
Were you sleepy?
ScotchMIrish
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by ScotchMIrish »

Carp4Cy wrote: 20 Dec 2025 23:24 pm
ScotchMIrish wrote: 19 Dec 2025 20:42 pm Pirates just got a lot better. Mangum will bat in the top of their lineup. Lowe 3rd or 4th.

Pirates probably wanted more than just Donovan for Burrows but that's a young pitcher with high potential to become a fixture in the rotation.

Why is Pitt spending money/prospects? Shouldn’t they be rebuilding, again? They aren’t good enough to have reached critical mass yet.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, after expressing interest in first baseman Josh Naylor, are doing the same with designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, while considering infielders Jorge Polanco, Ryan O’Hearn and Kazuma Okamoto as perhaps more realistic free-agent options.

The Miami Marlins are active in the closer market, talking with free-agent right-hander Michael King and other starting pitchers, and are also weighing upgrades at first and third base.

Both teams are perennially bottom-five in payroll. Both have been the subject of past grievances from the Major League Baseball Players Association over their lack of spending, with the Marlins potentially at risk of prompting another for 2025.

In the view of some player agents, the surprising entrances of the Pirates and Marlins into the marketplace are curious and — with the sport’s collective bargaining agreement set to expire after next season — no coincidence.

“There is a possibility of a fight among clubs over revenue sharing, with the smaller markets seeing a greater contribution,” agent Seth Levinson said. “The payors (large-market clubs) will argue that insufficient revenue-sharing funds are being spent on player acquisition.


Notice Lowe is in his last year of the contract and December 2026 is when the fight begins over payroll when the collective bargaining deal expires.
sikeston bulldog2
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Re: Brandon Lowe to Pirates...is Donovan next?

Post by sikeston bulldog2 »

Clubmaker2 wrote: 20 Dec 2025 10:02 am Should teams overpay to get their lesser choice.. is BD really a player you are desperate for .
Two good questions. I’d answer no to both.
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