Donovan + Demand = December (and Dodgers)

[Talkin' Baseball]

I am hopeful that the Cardinals reach an agreement to trade Brendan Donovan at the Winter Meetings, or at least by Christmas. He is in demand, but you can overplay your hand.

At this time, I would rate the Los Angeles Dodgers as the best fit for Donovan. The Dodgers are laser-focused on a 3-peat. It is not unthinkable that they could win 5 World Series in the next 10 years. They have the resources to deal with every immediate problem that may present itself. In this case, that means prospects of value to trade, and the willingness to do so. The Dodgers don’t let their prospects wither and die- they promote them or move them out (usually). Any Dodgers prospect, taken on their own, is expendable. Expendable doesn’t mean not good, it means they won’t miss them. If they feel like a move will set them up for another World Series next year, they will spend that prospect.

I’ll add my proposal to the thread shortly.

Are you aware Bloom traded with the Dodgers when he was running the Red Sox and the prospects were less than overwhelming.

For all the hype that teams prospects get, the graduates seem few.
Maybe this group will excel

There is truth to this.

[Shady]

I feel like Donovan fits on Seattles roster perfectly - especially if they trade Arozarena. And they have a top farm system with limited budget. Probably so perfect it won’t happen.

Seattle needs to replace or extend Polanco and Suarez too while staying on budget
and getting a solid taste of the post season. Donovan is cheap replacement for either.
They are an interesting team that might need to give in what they
do not want to give into regarding prospects. I think they attempt to keep
there MLB pitching, Bloom may prefer prospects anyway. Problem is they're
not deep IMO, Crav would know better.
Anderson, they'll keep, Sloan came from HS 2024 draft.

The problem with Seattle is that they want good players and yet want to keep their Anderson, their Sloan, etc... They always want to offer their Tai Peete (their version of Nolan Gorman) or catcher Harry Ford.

100% agreement. Sloan and we're done there...that's my target. I thought the same thing when I looked into Peete. And I'm tired of watching Harry Ford play...it seems like he's been in the minors for a better part of 2 decades 5 full seasons, and there really wasn't a issue with the bat...it wasn't great, but he still hit HR's and the avg wasn't too terrible at any stop.

I also understand the need for RH bats...especially OF RHB. So maybe Seattle isn't the the best trade partner? I'd jump at Sirota all day, everyday in a Dodgers trade.

Still...I wouldn't balk at a Sloan and CB pick trade. I'd actually love it. RHP, we're weak there, too.

Good post. How about looking to get an outfielder RH slugger similar to the Silver Slugger we have? With maybe a little more power potential. What is out there that is as good as Burleson, with more power potential, that might be available? That's what Bloom should be demanding in addition to that caliber of starting pitcher. If not, keep Donovan, trade some others.

From what I've laid out. I'd demand Pages and River Ryan (or a comparable starting pitcher) from the Dodgers for Donovan. The Cardinals might have to add a a little something to it. If no comply. Move on. We don't have to trade the multi-talented Donovan with two years left on a bargain contract for the Cardinals

[ScotchMIrish]

I am hopeful that the Cardinals reach an agreement to trade Brendan Donovan at the Winter Meetings, or at least by Christmas. He is in demand, but you can overplay your hand.

At this time, I would rate the Los Angeles Dodgers as the best fit for Donovan. The Dodgers are laser-focused on a 3-peat. It is not unthinkable that they could win 5 World Series in the next 10 years. They have the resources to deal with every immediate problem that may present itself. In this case, that means prospects of value to trade, and the willingness to do so. The Dodgers don’t let their prospects wither and die- they promote them or move them out (usually). Any Dodgers prospect, taken on their own, is expendable. Expendable doesn’t mean not good, it means they won’t miss them. If they feel like a move will set them up for another World Series next year, they will spend that prospect.

I’ll add my proposal to the thread shortly.

Are you aware Bloom traded with the Dodgers when he was running the Red Sox and the prospects were less than overwhelming.

Are you aware that the Dodgers also ate a contract for tens of millions of dollars for a pitcher who was of no use as part of the trade? Of course the prospects were underwhelming.

The prospects were #1 and #3 in the Dodgers organization. Verdugo and Downs. The other Connor Wong - not sure what he was rated. It's an example of established players for top prospects.

[NYCardsFan]

From what I've laid out. I'd demand Pages and River Ryan from the Dodgers for Donovan. Might have to add a a little something to it. II no comply. Move on. We don't have to trade the multi-talented Donovan with two year left on a bargain contract for the Cardinals

Hear that sound? That's the sound of Andrew Friedman laughing at you and then hanging up.

Per BTV:
Pages 32.7
Ryan: 17.3
Total: 50

Donovan: 32.1

And I thought you said you expected Donovan to fetch "at least two 'sure fire' future stars"?

[craviduce]

From what I've laid out. I'd demand Pages and River Ryan from the Dodgers for Donovan. Might have to add a a little something to it. II no comply. Move on. We don't have to trade the multi-talented Donovan with two year left on a bargain contract for the Cardinals

Hear that sound? That's the sound of Andrew Friedman laughing at you and then hanging up.

Pages 32.7
Ryan: 17.3
Total: 50

Donovan: 32.1

And I thought you said you expected Donovan to fetch "at least two 'sure fire' future stars"?

Pages value is quite low...maybe an adjustment is coming from BTV? He has 4 or 5 years of control left, coming off a 4 WAR season. He has to be valued a little higher than 0.6 than Donovan. I don't see the Dodgers parting with Pages when he's minimal cost for the next 2 seasons? Then 3 more years of affordable Arb.

His 32.7 value really surprises me.

[ScotchMIrish]

I am hopeful that the Cardinals reach an agreement to trade Brendan Donovan at the Winter Meetings, or at least by Christmas. He is in demand, but you can overplay your hand.

At this time, I would rate the Los Angeles Dodgers as the best fit for Donovan. The Dodgers are laser-focused on a 3-peat. It is not unthinkable that they could win 5 World Series in the next 10 years. They have the resources to deal with every immediate problem that may present itself. In this case, that means prospects of value to trade, and the willingness to do so. The Dodgers don’t let their prospects wither and die- they promote them or move them out (usually). Any Dodgers prospect, taken on their own, is expendable. Expendable doesn’t mean not good, it means they won’t miss them. If they feel like a move will set them up for another World Series next year, they will spend that prospect.

I’ll add my proposal to the thread shortly.

Are you aware Bloom traded with the Dodgers when he was running the Red Sox and the prospects were less than overwhelming.

For all the hype that teams prospects get, the graduates seem few.
Maybe this group will excel

It's an educated guess when you acquire prospects. I'd try to get some international signing money and just sign 40 guys + 20 in the amateur draft. Then cull the herd in the low minors.

[NYCardsFan]

From what I've laid out. I'd demand Pages and River Ryan from the Dodgers for Donovan. Might have to add a a little something to it. II no comply. Move on. We don't have to trade the multi-talented Donovan with two year left on a bargain contract for the Cardinals

Hear that sound? That's the sound of Andrew Friedman laughing at you and then hanging up.

Pages 32.7
Ryan: 17.3
Total: 50

Donovan: 32.1

And I thought you said you expected Donovan to fetch "at least two 'sure fire' future stars"?

Pages value is quite low...maybe an adjustment is coming from BTV? He has 4 or 5 years of control left, coming off a 4 WAR season. He has to be valued a little higher than 0.6 than Donovan. I don't see the Dodgers parting with Pages when he's minimum cost for the next 2 seasons? Then 3 more years of affordable Arb.

That surprised me as well. Maybe the projection model is discounting the defense somewhat? A lot of his WAR last year was driven by his defensive metrics. Not saying they're not real, just that I tend to be a little more cautious on those types of players absent a bigger sample size /track record to establish a good baseline. Interestingly, his current FG projection for 2026 is 2.8 WAR, while his STEAMER is 2.2. (Meanwhile, Donovan is projected to deliver his usual 3 WAR.)

[WaltsSuccessor]

I feel like Donovan fits on Seattles roster perfectly - especially if they trade Arozarena. And they have a top farm system with limited budget. Probably so perfect it won’t happen.

Seattle needs to replace or extend Polanco and Suarez too while staying on budget
and getting a solid taste of the post season. Donovan is cheap replacement for either.
They are an interesting team that might need to give in what they
do not want to give into regarding prospects. I think they attempt to keep
there MLB pitching, Bloom may prefer prospects anyway. Problem is they're
not deep IMO, Crav would know better.
Anderson, they'll keep, Sloan came from HS 2024 draft.

With how close they got to the World Series, I doubt they trade from their starting rotation. If they do, it’ll be Castillo. While I like him, he doesn’t fit our timeline.

My thinking with Donovan is they graduated top prospect Cole Young to 2B and he didn’t immediately find success. Their next top prospect is Colt Emerson for SS/3B and Montes is an OF at #3 of their prospects. Both project to make it to the bigs in 2026. Donovan’s versatility makes him a perfect hedge for all three if (when) one struggles next year. While being affordable. Or makes one of them expendable.

[Talkin' Baseball]

I feel like Donovan fits on Seattles roster perfectly - especially if they trade Arozarena. And they have a top farm system with limited budget. Probably so perfect it won’t happen.

Seattle needs to replace or extend Polanco and Suarez too while staying on budget
and getting a solid taste of the post season. Donovan is cheap replacement for either.
They are an interesting team that might need to give in what they
do not want to give into regarding prospects. I think they attempt to keep
there MLB pitching, Bloom may prefer prospects anyway. Problem is they're
not deep IMO, Crav would know better.
Anderson, they'll keep, Sloan came from HS 2024 draft.

With how close they got to the World Series, I doubt they trade from their starting rotation. If they do, it’ll be Castillo. While I like him, he doesn’t fit our timeline.

My thinking with Donovan is they graduated top prospect Cole Young to 2B and he didn’t immediately find success. Their next top prospect is Colt Emerson for SS/3B and Montes is an OF at #3 of their prospects. Both project to make it to the bigs in 2026. Donovan’s versatility makes him a perfect hedge for all three if (when) one struggles next year. While being affordable. Or makes one of them expendable.

That's the fit- if you can get them to see it that way...

[Shady]

From what I've laid out. I'd demand Pages and River Ryan from the Dodgers for Donovan. Might have to add a a little something to it. II no comply. Move on. We don't have to trade the multi-talented Donovan with two year left on a bargain contract for the Cardinals

Hear that sound? That's the sound of Andrew Friedman laughing at you and then hanging up.

Per BTV:
Pages 32.7
Ryan: 17.3
Total: 50

Donovan: 32.1

And I thought you said you expected Donovan to fetch "at least two 'sure fire' future stars"?

Turn the offer down if not enough, chump. Like I said.

[NYCardsFan]

From what I've laid out. I'd demand Pages and River Ryan from the Dodgers for Donovan. Might have to add a a little something to it. II no comply. Move on. We don't have to trade the multi-talented Donovan with two year left on a bargain contract for the Cardinals

Hear that sound? That's the sound of Andrew Friedman laughing at you and then hanging up.

Per BTV:
Pages 32.7
Ryan: 17.3
Total: 50

Donovan: 32.1

And I thought you said you expected Donovan to fetch "at least two 'sure fire' future stars"?

Turn the offer down if not enough, chump. Like I said.

Then why don’t you just say you don’t want to trade Donovan at all and leave it at that, rather than relentlessly spamming the forum with absurd, fantastical trade proposals that no rational team would ever accept? Any idiot can say “the Cardinals should trade 50 cents for a dollar.”

[zuck698]

From what I've laid out. I'd demand Pages and River Ryan from the Dodgers for Donovan. Might have to add a a little something to it. II no comply. Move on. We don't have to trade the multi-talented Donovan with two year left on a bargain contract for the Cardinals

Hear that sound? That's the sound of Andrew Friedman laughing at you and then hanging up.

Per BTV:
Pages 32.7
Ryan: 17.3
Total: 50

Donovan: 32.1

And I thought you said you expected Donovan to fetch "at least two 'sure fire' future stars"?

Turn the offer down if not enough, chump. Like I said.

Then why don’t you just say you don’t want to trade Donovan at all and leave it at that, rather than spamming the forum with absurd, fantastical trade proposals that no rational team would ever accept?

Might as well have L.A. throw in De Paula, Quintero, and Freeland while they are at!

[ICCFIM2]

I don't have access to trade values now. Are all you guys paid members to that or am I missing something?

On deals with the Dodgers Sirota does fit the mold of who we would want. He and perhaps BUT if it's me I try to go straight across for De Paula. I know he hits L but he HITS everywhere he goes. And for power. THAT is what the team needs.

Don't razz on me. I've no idea if this is a "fair" trade.

If you go to the trade boards and type in a name, it will pull that name up with the trade value. So that is a way to get it for free, albeit, it is slow.

In the recently completed Gray trade, the Cards traded $11M of net value in return for $23M of prospect value. Perhaps the certainty of a ML player v. the uncertainty of a prospect will retrieve a premium for the ML players. Josue De Paula, the Dodgers top prospect, $47M and River Ryan $17M totaling $64M for Donovan $31M and Nootbar $11M totaling $42M appears to be an overpay by the Dodgers. But is it really given the $10M for 1 player in the Sonny Gray trade. Also, could the Cards put another prospect into the deal to make that work. If the Cards are going to trade Donovan, they need to get the best possible players in return. The Dodgers have no catching depth in their system. I don't want to trade them Bernal. But, I would put Jimmy Crooks into this deal, $11M which brings the Cards oal up to $53M. Given the Gray deal, that has to be about balanced.

[Carp4Cy]

From what I've laid out. I'd demand Pages and River Ryan from the Dodgers for Donovan. Might have to add a a little something to it. II no comply. Move on. We don't have to trade the multi-talented Donovan with two year left on a bargain contract for the Cardinals

Hear that sound? That's the sound of Andrew Friedman laughing at you and then hanging up.

Per BTV:
Pages 32.7
Ryan: 17.3
Total: 50

Donovan: 32.1

And I thought you said you expected Donovan to fetch "at least two 'sure fire' future stars"?

If we are going to trade Donny, I'd probably trade him straight up for Andy Pages. Younger, cheap, and a strong hitting CF when we have ZERO good OFers.

[renostl]

I feel like Donovan fits on Seattles roster perfectly - especially if they trade Arozarena. And they have a top farm system with limited budget. Probably so perfect it won’t happen.

Seattle needs to replace or extend Polanco and Suarez too while staying on budget
and getting a solid taste of the post season. Donovan is cheap replacement for either.
They are an interesting team that might need to give in what they
do not want to give into regarding prospects. I think they attempt to keep
there MLB pitching, Bloom may prefer prospects anyway. Problem is they're
not deep IMO, Crav would know better.
Anderson, they'll keep, Sloan came from HS 2024 draft.

With how close they got to the World Series, I doubt they trade from their starting rotation. If they do, it’ll be Castillo. While I like him, he doesn’t fit our timeline.

My thinking with Donovan is they graduated top prospect Cole Young to 2B and he didn’t immediately find success. Their next top prospect is Colt Emerson for SS/3B and Montes is an OF at #3 of their prospects. Both project to make it to the bigs in 2026. Donovan’s versatility makes him a perfect hedge for all three if (when) one struggles next year. While being affordable. Or makes one of them expendable.

Totally agree about Seattle keeping their rotation. That's all I read up here.
IF they break from one not named Castillo it will be for a bigger bat than Donovan.
I also agree it's possible they leave their comfort zone after the taste of the playoffs
or have a real chance of some regression.

With either Infielder and especially Cole I'd want more, Emerson is more intriguing.
Is everyone LH now?

Add to Donovan and get Emerson and Sloan

[rockondlouie]

I've always felt the Dodgers could jump on Donny as well.

That said, there's going to be what, a half dozen or more teams also all over him?

Let the bidding war build and if the Dodgers really want him, then make them PAY!