Cardinals Holding Firm on Brendan Donovan Trade Talks – And They Should Be

When it comes to trade negotiations, Chaim Bloom isn’t blinking – and right now, that’s playing directly into the Cardinals’ hands. Brendan Donovan remains one of the most talked-about names on the market this offseason, but don’t mistake buzz for urgency in St.

Louis. The Cardinals know exactly what they have, and they’re not about to sell short.

From the start of the offseason, the message out of St. Louis has been clear: Donovan is available, but only at a premium price.

And while it’s common for teams to float high asking prices early and then quietly lower them as talks progress, that’s not what’s happening here. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Cardinals haven’t budged – and they don’t plan to.

“Nope. And it’s not going to,” Passan said when asked if Donovan’s price had come down.

“The Cardinals do not need to trade Brendan Donovan. They can move him at the deadline.

They can move him next winter. His consistency is among his best attributes, and his value is unlikely to crater between now and then.

So Chaim Bloom should do exactly what he’s doing: set an extremely high asking price and know that teams valuing flexibility will continue wanting him.”

That’s the key here: the Cardinals aren’t in a position of desperation. They don’t have to move Donovan. And that leverage is everything.

Donovan’s Value Is Real – And Rising

Donovan is arguably the Cardinals’ most attractive trade chip, and they’re treating him like it. With two years of club control remaining, his value isn’t just tied to what he’s done – it’s also about what he could still become.

He’s a reliable, versatile player with a high floor and, according to many evaluators, still has room to grow offensively. That’s a rare combination.

And the market is shifting in St. Louis’ favor.

With the Diamondbacks signaling that Ketel Marte is likely off the table, the pool of available high-impact infielders just got a little shallower. That puts more pressure on teams looking to upgrade – and gives Bloom even more leverage.

Teams like the Red Sox, Mariners, Giants, Royals, Yankees, Guardians, and Astros have all been linked to Donovan at various points. That’s not just smoke – that’s a fire that could heat up quickly if one of those clubs decides they need to act before someone else does.

Why the Cardinals Can Afford to Wait

This is where the Cardinals’ position becomes even stronger. They already boast one of the top farm systems in the game.

So while adding more young talent is always a plus, it’s not a necessity. They’re not in a rebuild – they’re trying to build a contender.

And Donovan, whether as a trade piece or a contributor on the field, fits into that plan.

Even if Donovan’s team control starts to dwindle after Opening Day, his value isn’t likely to plummet. If anything, a strong first half could boost his stock even further. And if the Cardinals don’t get the return they’re looking for now, they can revisit the market at the trade deadline or next winter with just as much – if not more – leverage.

Bloom Playing the Long Game

There’s been plenty of chatter in the past about Bloom being hesitant to pull the trigger on big trades. But this doesn’t feel like indecision – it feels like strategy. The Cardinals know what they have, they know the market, and they’re not going to be rushed into a deal just to make headlines.

This is a textbook case of understanding leverage and timing. The Cardinals are in control, and they’re making it clear: if a team wants Brendan Donovan, they’re going to have to pay up.

If not, St. Louis is more than happy to keep a valuable, consistent player in the fold.

Sometimes the best move is knowing when not to move. And right now, the Cardinals are playing this exactly right.