The Houston Astros are heading into the offseason with a clear mission: stay under the luxury tax while still finding ways to upgrade the roster. So far, they’re threading that needle with some savvy moves-starting with sending Mauricio Dubón to the Braves in exchange for infielder Nick Allen.
That deal wasn’t just about shuffling players; it freed up some financial breathing room. And it looks like the Astros already have a target in mind for how to put that flexibility to good use.
Enter Brendan Donovan.
The Cardinals’ All-Star utilityman has emerged as one of the most intriguing trade chips on the market this winter. And according to MLB insider Jon Morosi, Houston might just be the ideal landing spot.
“Donovan to Houston is about as perfect of a match as you are going to find in the trade market,” Morosi said this week. That’s not just lip service-it’s a reflection of how well Donovan’s profile fits what the Astros need right now.
Let’s break down why.
A Left-Handed Bat with Positional Flexibility
Houston’s lineup is loaded with right-handed hitters, and that imbalance has become more noticeable in recent seasons. Donovan brings a left-handed bat that can help balance things out, especially against right-handed pitching. In 2025, he hit .315 with an .853 OPS against righties-exactly the kind of production the Astros could use in the top or middle of their order.
Now, Donovan’s numbers against left-handed pitching weren’t anything to write home about-he posted a .230 average and a .614 OPS in those matchups-but that’s not the role Houston would be asking him to fill. They’d be plugging him in where he thrives: against right-handers, where his bat brings real value.
But it’s not just about the offense. Donovan’s defensive versatility is a huge part of his appeal.
He’s played second base and multiple outfield spots, giving the Astros a Swiss Army knife they can deploy wherever needed. With a roster that already features some positional overlap-especially in the infield-having a guy who can move around the diamond is a luxury, not a redundancy.
Two Years of Control, High Contact Profile
Donovan isn’t a rental. He’s under team control for two more seasons, which adds to his value for a team like Houston that’s trying to stay competitive without blowing past the luxury tax threshold. That kind of cost-controlled talent is gold in today’s market, especially when it comes with All-Star credentials and a career .282 batting average.
He’s not a power bat, but that’s not what Houston would be counting on. He’s a contact hitter who gets on base and plays solid defense-two things that tend to hold up well in October. And with the Astros eyeing another deep postseason run, those are the kinds of traits that matter.
A Logjam Worth Managing
Yes, bringing in Donovan would create some roster questions. The Astros already have infield depth, and adding another name to the mix could complicate playing time. But that’s a problem worth solving if it means upgrading the lineup and improving roster flexibility.
Dana Brown and the Astros’ front office will have to figure out how to make the pieces fit, but that’s what good teams do. Donovan doesn’t just fill a need-he elevates the floor of the roster and gives manager Joe Espada another dependable option in both the lineup and the field.
All Eyes on Houston
The Cardinals appear to be open for business this offseason as they retool their roster, and Donovan is drawing plenty of interest across the league. But few teams make as much sense as Houston. The fit is clean, the need is clear, and the timing is right.
Whether or not a deal gets done remains to be seen, but the Astros are very much in the mix-and if they land Donovan, it could be one of the more quietly impactful moves of the offseason.
For a team that’s been among baseball’s elite for nearly a decade, this kind of disciplined, strategic roster building is exactly how you stay there.
