The St. Louis Cardinals are heading into the offseason with a clear objective: reshape the roster and move some veteran pieces.
One name that’s generating serious interest around the league is Brendan Donovan – the versatile utility man and 2022 All-Star who’s become a key contributor in St. Louis.
According to recent reports, the Cardinals are open to dealing Donovan, and one of the more intriguing suitors is a division rival: the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Now, in-division trades don’t happen all that often – especially ones involving impact players – but this wouldn’t be uncharted territory for Pirates GM Ben Cherington. He’s worked with the Cardinals front office before, most notably in 2022 when Pittsburgh acquired José Quintana and Johan Oviedo at the deadline. That deal helped set the tone for a more aggressive, strategic approach from the Pirates – and a Donovan deal would be another bold swing.
Why Pittsburgh? The fit makes sense on both sides.
The Pirates are loaded with young, controllable pitching – a valuable currency in today’s game – and the Cardinals, who struggled to a 78-84 finish in 2025, could use some of that depth to retool their rotation or bullpen. On the flip side, Pittsburgh desperately needs offensive help.
Despite boasting one of the best young rotations in baseball this past season – headlined by Paul Skenes, who just captured the NL Cy Young – the Pirates’ bats simply didn’t show up. They finished near the bottom of the league in almost every major offensive category.
That’s where Donovan – and potentially Lars Nootbaar – come into play. Both are capable outfielders, with Donovan offering even more value thanks to his ability to play all over the diamond. He brings solid contact skills, on-base ability, and a high baseball IQ – exactly the kind of presence that could help stabilize and spark a young lineup like Pittsburgh’s.
But the Pirates aren’t the only team circling. The New York Yankees and the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are also reportedly in the mix for Donovan.
That’s not surprising. Players who can contribute in multiple ways – defensively, offensively, and in the clubhouse – are in high demand, especially as contenders look to fine-tune their rosters heading into 2026.
Even the Kansas City Royals, a team still building toward contention, are said to be in talks with St. Louis.
Beyond Donovan, the Cardinals could be looking to move other veterans as well. Starting pitcher Sonny Gray is another name to watch.
After signing a multi-year deal last offseason, Gray was expected to anchor the Cardinals’ rotation, but with the team falling short of expectations, St. Louis may be rethinking its timeline and asset allocation.
This offseason could mark a significant turning point for the Cardinals – not a full rebuild, but a retooling with an eye toward long-term flexibility and competitiveness. And for teams like the Pirates, who are inching closer to legitimate contention, this is the kind of opportunity that could accelerate the process.
One thing’s clear: Brendan Donovan’s name is going to be one of the most talked-about this winter. And whether he ends up in Pittsburgh, New York, L.A., or somewhere else entirely, his next stop could have ripple effects across multiple divisions.
