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.

[Talkin' Baseball]

My proposal for sending Brendan Donovan to the Dodgers is this: Brendan Donovan (32.1 BTV) and Lars Nootbaar (11.3 BTV) in exchange for River Ryan (17.3 BTV), Mike Sirota (21.4 BTV), and Alex Freeland (9.4 BTV).
Why would the Dodgers want Lars Nootbaar? Because they had one of the worst LF situations in the majors last season. They WILL address that hole. Won’t they just sign Kyle Tucker, or Cody Bellinger? They could, but I don’t think they will. The Dodgers top 3 prospects are all 20 year-old OF rated among the top 34 prospects in baseball. Two are in AA, the other in A+. A two-year bridge to one of these guys might be more in line with their long-term plans. Isn’t Lars injured, and may not be ready to start the season? Yes, and we could say the same about River Ryan. He hasn’t pitched yet after missing the entire 2025 season. If the Dodgers truly want no part of Noot, then remove Freeland from the Cardinals return. They may want Donovan enough to accept the Nootbaar portion of the trade as well.

River Ryan is the Dodgers #9 prospect. He is a 27 year-old right-handed starting pitcher with 5 years of team control left. He had just reached the majors in August of 2024 before blowing out his elbow and requiring TJ surgery. This is what MLB Pipeline says about Ryan;
“When healthy, Ryan has the best repertoire among Dodger farmhands, starting with a four-seam fastball that sits at 95-98 mph and reaches 100 with significant induced vertical break that leads to a lot of empty swings up in the zone. He also can use a 94-96 mph two-seamer to induce grounders. Similarly, he can turn his tight upper-80s slider (which grades as plus and is his best secondary pitch) into an even harder low-90s cutter.”

“Ryan also sports a solid 82-85 mph curveball and a sinking upper-80s changeup that's nearly as good, though he doesn't land them in the zone as well as his other offerings. His quality athleticism translates into extension in his delivery that helps his pitches get on hitters quickly, and his clean arm action has helped his control steadily improve. He still offers the upside of a No. 2 or 3 starter, though he'll be 27 when he returns to the mound.”
Ryan should be ready to pitch out of the gate in the spring. He could possibly slot into the St Louis rotation, or may need to start the year in Memphis. In either regard, he probably is on an innings limit.

Mike Sirota is the Dodgers #5 prospect and the #65 prospect in baseball. He is 22 years-old, playing last a A+, and is primarily a CF. Sirota hits from the right side. Not only is he blocked by the major league OF, he is blocked by no less than 3 Top 100 prospect OF’s all ranked more highly than him. In a limited sample last season he hit .333 with a 1.068 OPS. Here is what MLB Pipeline says about Mike Sirota;

“Sirota has an extremely disciplined approach -- his 59 walks in 51 games last year broke Peña's school record -- and excellent bat-to-ball skills. His timing got out of whack for much of his junior season, but he has corrected that and torn up two Class A levels in his 2025 pro debut. He has the bat speed and projectable strength to provide 20 homers per year, perhaps more if he can add some loft to his right-handed stroke.”
“Sirota doesn't have to make a huge offensive impact to help a team win games. He has plus speed and shows the aptitude to steal bases. He makes good reads and takes good routes in center field, where he's a solid defender with arm strength to match.”
It seems like high A ball didn’t faze Sirota, so he probably is ready to start at AA. Whether he could make AAA next season, who knows?

Alex Freeland is the Dodgers #4 prospect and the #45 prospect in baseball. He is a 24 year-old switch-hitting infielder who has spent time at 2B, SS, and 3B. His natural position is shortstop. He reached Los Angeles last season and didn’t do that well. In 29 games in LA, he hit .190. At AAA last year he hit .263 with a .835 OPS, and hit 16 HR’s. Here is how MLB Pipeline describes Freeland;

“Freeland's swing decisions rank among the best in Los Angeles' system, and he ranked sixth in the Minors with 91 walks in '24. A switch-hitter, he makes more contact and has more impact from the left side of the plate, though he did improve his righty production last season. He has a quick bat and good feel for launching balls in the air to his pull side, which could translate into 20 homers per year.”
“While he's an average runner, Freeland's advanced instincts allow him to play quicker than that on the bases and at shortstop. He covers ground to both sides and has reliable hands and plus arm strength, ingredients that add up to solid defense at short. He also has seen action at second and third base and has a floor of a utilityman, but he definitely profiles as an everyday player at shortstop.”
Alex Freeland could possibly play 3B for the Cardinals next season, or assume a Donovan-type role where he moves around a bit.

Is this an overpay by the Dodgers? Maybe a little, but not a lot. If it gets them where they want to go- it’s great. Here’s the thing- LA is about 12 deep in starting pitchers. River Ryan is never going to be more than a spot starter, or a bullpen piece for them and at 27, they need to make use of him. Mike Sirota is never going to take the OF for the Dodgers, and if they trade for Brendan Donovan, Freeland will never have a meaningful role for the Dodgers. If need be to get the deal done, I might be willing to include someone else to move things along (Romero?). Do you think this could happen?

[AZ_Cardsfan]

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.

[StlMike1969]

Personally I do not see the Dodgers as a the end team. Donovan can be traded to any team at this point and there are much better minor league talent pools out there to get guys from. Donovan is going to be most valuable to a team that is on the cusp of being a legit threat, and wanting to sign Donovan to a longer term deal. Pick any of the top 10 teams playoff ready and I can see him going to them simply because he can plug in at multiple positions. Bloom will trade him to the best return, and I just do not see the Dodgers being that team. Having won 2 titles back to back, they just aren't motivated enough to part ways with a top 10 type prospect. I can see a Detroit, NY Mets or Seattle that have much better prospects doing a trade before the Dodgers.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Personally I do not see the Dodgers as a the end team. Donovan can be traded to any team at this point and there are much better minor league talent pools out there to get guys from. Donovan is going to be most valuable to a team that is on the cusp of being a legit threat, and wanting to sign Donovan to a longer term deal. Pick any of the top 10 teams playoff ready and I can see him going to them simply because he can plug in at multiple positions. Bloom will trade him to the best return, and I just do not see the Dodgers being that team. Having won 2 titles back to back, they just aren't motivated enough to part ways with a top 10 type prospect. I can see a Detroit, NY Mets or Seattle that have much better prospects doing a trade before the Dodgers.

I get where you are coming from. The 3 teams you mentioned do have very good farm systems. The Tigers were my favored landing spot for Donovan. Having Torres accept the QO may have changed the calculus for them. One primary difference- Detroit and Seattle have been prospect huggers and the Dodgers have been willing to part with their prospects.

[Shady]

I read about this possible return for Donovan from the Dodgers. lefty bat, power hitter, C/corner outfielder Rushing, ready for the starting rotation LHP Wrobleski and high velo LHP Kopp.

[Talkin' Baseball]

I read about this possible return for Donovan from the Dodgers. lefty bat, power hitter, C/corner outfield Rushing, ready for the starting rotation LHP Wrobleski and LHP Kopp.

I sure hope they don't do that.

[Shady]

I read about this possible return for Donovan from the Dodgers. lefty bat, power hitter, C/corner outfield Rushing, ready for the starting rotation LHP Wrobleski and LHP Kopp.

I sure hope they don't do that.

why not?

[Talkin' Baseball]

I read about this possible return for Donovan from the Dodgers. lefty bat, power hitter, C/corner outfield Rushing, ready for the starting rotation LHP Wrobleski and LHP Kopp.

I sure hope they don't do that.

why not?

Redundancy mostly. Kopp and Wrobelski are both LH- we have a lot of those coming and for that reason I like Ryan better. Neither of them has the higher ceiling I'm looking for. Rushing, while interesting, is a C being moved to LF. We have a player like that on our roster (Herrera). He also is a LH bat, which for now, we have in abundance. For that reason, and the potential for a higher ceiling, I prefer Sirota. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind any of these players being on the Cards, but Donovan is the best trade chip they have, and I would like to see the most bang possible for the buck.

[Shady]

I read about this possible return for Donovan from the Dodgers. lefty bat, power hitter, C/corner outfield Rushing, ready for the starting rotation LHP Wrobleski and LHP Kopp.

I sure hope they don't do that.

why not?

Redundancy mostly. Kopp and Wrobelski are both LH- we have a lot of those coming and for that reason I like Ryan better. Neither of them has the higher ceiling I'm looking for. Rushing, while interesting, is a C being moved to LF. We have a player like that on our roster (Herrera). He also is a LH bat, which for now, we have in abundance. For that reason, and the potential for a higher ceiling, I prefer Sirota. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind any of these players being on the Cards, but Donovan is the best trade chip they have, and I would like to see the most bang possible for the buck.

I agree. Bloom needs to get a package with a sure fire future star starting pitcher and sure fire future star slugger for the MOTO.

[NYCardsFan]

I read about this possible return for Donovan from the Dodgers. lefty bat, power hitter, C/corner outfield Rushing, ready for the starting rotation LHP Wrobleski and LHP Kopp.

I sure hope they don't do that.

why not?

Redundancy mostly. Kopp and Wrobelski are both LH- we have a lot of those coming and for that reason I like Ryan better. Neither of them has the higher ceiling I'm looking for. Rushing, while interesting, is a C being moved to LF. We have a player like that on our roster (Herrera). He also is a LH bat, which for now, we have in abundance. For that reason, and the potential for a higher ceiling, I prefer Sirota. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind any of these players being on the Cards, but Donovan is the best trade chip they have, and I would like to see the most bang possible for the buck.

I agree. Bloom needs to get a package with a sure fire future star starting pitcher and sure fire future star slugger for the MOTO.

There is no such thing as a “sure fire future star” starting pitcher or “slugger.” They are looking for a combination of quality, ceiling, and years of control. In order to maximize that kind of consideration for Donovan (or any of the other guys reportedly on the block), they will need to take some calculated risk.

[Shady]

I read about this possible return for Donovan from the Dodgers. lefty bat, power hitter, C/corner outfield Rushing, ready for the starting rotation LHP Wrobleski and LHP Kopp.

I sure hope they don't do that.

why not?

Redundancy mostly. Kopp and Wrobelski are both LH- we have a lot of those coming and for that reason I like Ryan better. Neither of them has the higher ceiling I'm looking for. Rushing, while interesting, is a C being moved to LF. We have a player like that on our roster (Herrera). He also is a LH bat, which for now, we have in abundance. For that reason, and the potential for a higher ceiling, I prefer Sirota. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind any of these players being on the Cards, but Donovan is the best trade chip they have, and I would like to see the most bang possible for the buck.

I agree. Bloom needs to get a package with a sure fire future star starting pitcher and sure fire future star slugger for the MOTO.

There is no such thing as a “sure fire future star” starting pitcher or “slugger.” They are looking for a combination of quality, ceiling, and years of control. In order to maximize that kind of consideration for Donovan (or any of the other guys reportedly on the block), they will need to take some calculated risk.

Bloom, as a talent evaluator, needs to feel the type players I suggested are "sure fire" in terms of potential. At least two in a package for Donovan should be "sure fire" in Bloom's estimation. With the possibly a lottery pick thrown in.

[Shady]

The more I analyze the Donovan trade situation. Unless Bloom is blown away early, I'd really explore other trade chips first. Hold out for a while on Donovan. Float Contreras, Arenado, Gorman, Nootbaar, Romero, some catchers. Bloom doesn't HAVE TO trade Donovan. If the Dodgers or Yankees really want Donovan. Bloom needs to make them pay dearly. The Dodgers have some really enticing trade chips. And a bunch of them. Some are rather blocked by that impressive Dodgers' roster situation.

[NYCardsFan]

I read about this possible return for Donovan from the Dodgers. lefty bat, power hitter, C/corner outfield Rushing, ready for the starting rotation LHP Wrobleski and LHP Kopp.

I sure hope they don't do that.

why not?

Redundancy mostly. Kopp and Wrobelski are both LH- we have a lot of those coming and for that reason I like Ryan better. Neither of them has the higher ceiling I'm looking for. Rushing, while interesting, is a C being moved to LF. We have a player like that on our roster (Herrera). He also is a LH bat, which for now, we have in abundance. For that reason, and the potential for a higher ceiling, I prefer Sirota. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind any of these players being on the Cards, but Donovan is the best trade chip they have, and I would like to see the most bang possible for the buck.

I agree. Bloom needs to get a package with a sure fire future star starting pitcher and sure fire future star slugger for the MOTO.

There is no such thing as a “sure fire future star” starting pitcher or “slugger.” They are looking for a combination of quality, ceiling, and years of control. In order to maximize that kind of consideration for Donovan (or any of the other guys reportedly on the block), they will need to take some calculated risk.

Bloom, as a talent evaluator, needs to feel the type players I suggested are "sure fire" in terms of potential. At least two in a package for Donovan should be "sure fire" in Bloom's estimation. With the possibly a lottery pick thrown in.

“‘Sure fire’ in terms of potential”?????

So once again, you’re back to this fantasy that Donovan will fetch “at least two ‘sure fire’ future stars”?

[Shady]

I read about this possible return for Donovan from the Dodgers. lefty bat, power hitter, C/corner outfield Rushing, ready for the starting rotation LHP Wrobleski and LHP Kopp.

I sure hope they don't do that.

why not?

Redundancy mostly. Kopp and Wrobelski are both LH- we have a lot of those coming and for that reason I like Ryan better. Neither of them has the higher ceiling I'm looking for. Rushing, while interesting, is a C being moved to LF. We have a player like that on our roster (Herrera). He also is a LH bat, which for now, we have in abundance. For that reason, and the potential for a higher ceiling, I prefer Sirota. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind any of these players being on the Cards, but Donovan is the best trade chip they have, and I would like to see the most bang possible for the buck.

I agree. Bloom needs to get a package with a sure fire future star starting pitcher and sure fire future star slugger for the MOTO.

There is no such thing as a “sure fire future star” starting pitcher or “slugger.” They are looking for a combination of quality, ceiling, and years of control. In order to maximize that kind of consideration for Donovan (or any of the other guys reportedly on the block), they will need to take some calculated risk.

Bloom, as a talent evaluator, needs to feel the type players I suggested are "sure fire" in terms of potential. At least two in a package for Donovan should be "sure fire" in Bloom's estimation. With the possibly a lottery pick thrown in.

“‘Sure fire’ in terms of potential”?????

So once again, you’re back to this fantasy that Donovan will fetch “at least two ‘sure fire’ future stars”?

It could happen, Scrooge. Some feel that's the minimum Bloom should be seeking if some teams really want Donovan.

[jackclark57]

I'm thinking Bloom is shooting for two good pitching pieces as the centerpiece of any Donovan deal. Not saying he won't have a position player, but it is his best shot to inject even more pitching into the system.

I think Bloom's number 1 objective immediately is to bridge the minor league pitching gap they have now. About 10-11 are about 1-3 years away. Relatively few ready to go now.

Once he has a steady flow of young pitching, he can shape/finish the rest of the team.