MLB Off-season 2025-'26 (Cardinals)

[phins]

I think you knew what I meant.

I like Brendan Donovan as much as anyone, but I have never once considered someone opening up the war chest to get him because he's not that kind of player.

In case it isn't coming across. I'm not intending to attack you or be a jerk. Just a dialogue and I am not always clear.

[jagtrader]

There’s no reason Donovan can’t be on the next Cardinals playoff team because there’s no reason that has to be far away other than ownership refuses to spend. The Cardinals are about to have no guaranteed contracts beyond 2026 and people act like that’s normal. It’s a scam.

[Popeye_Card]

There’s no reason Donovan can’t be on the next Cardinals playoff team because there’s no reason that has to be far away other than ownership refuses to spend. The Cardinals are about to have no guaranteed contracts beyond 2026 and people act like that’s normal. It’s a scam.

That’s why I would say only trade him for someone with a realistic ceiling higher than Donovan’s. Trading him just to save money is dumb. Trading to tread water or patch holes on a bad team would be useless.

Honestly same for Arenado at this point. [expletive] this ownership group saving some cash just to line their pockets. I’d rather see a probable future HoF’er flail away at the plate than to send him packing for some guys we’ll just release mid-season.

[phins]

There’s no reason Donovan can’t be on the next Cardinals playoff team because there’s no reason that has to be far away other than ownership refuses to spend. The Cardinals are about to have no guaranteed contracts beyond 2026 and people act like that’s normal. It’s a scam.

They're preparing for a work stoppage. It's sad.

[MrCrowesGarden]

The Cardinals could be competitive as soon as 2027 if they wanted to be. It would also require shelling out significant money the next two offseasons.

I haven’t and I’d never suggest offloading Donovan for nothing, but hoping for Kade Anderson for a good not great player is a great way to get heartbroken

[dmarx114]

Donovan is a nice role player. He’s not making or breaking our team in 2027 or beyond.

We keep hearing on this board that there is a time to sell high on someone. Now would be that time for Donovan, who fits a contender’s timeline better than ours.

That said, I am not just giving him away.

[jagtrader]

Arenado is a different case because he’s close to done and doesn’t want to be here. You don’t want that kind of guy around. Donovan is everything you want right now.

[dmarx114]

2.7 WAR players who only have 2 years of control are not everything we want, especially if they can be moved for someone who will be better down the road.

But the return has to be good.

[WAR God]

he’s arb2+arb3 this season and next. Pencil him in for 3 WAR each of those seasons.

Thats surplus value. Maybe not enough for the Dodgers of the world to move a great prospect for him, but for the mid to mid lower size market who is trying to make the playoffs, that’s meaningful.

[phins]

he’s arb2+arb3 this season and next. Pencil him in for 3 WAR each of those seasons.

Thats surplus value. Maybe not enough for the Dodgers of the world to move a great prospect for him, but for the mid to mid lower size market who is trying to make the playoffs, that’s meaningful.

He's a force multiplier on value because he can play anywhere and be a plus starter. If he was "just" a 2.7 WAR 2B or just a LF, or just a 3B etc. he would be lower value. But literally every single contender can use Donovan and afford him.

His value is supercharged compared to a player of his results for those reasons.