The St. Louis Cardinals’ trade deadline plans remain uncertain. Whether they become buyers or sellers will hinge on their performance over the next couple of months. Currently hovering around the .500 mark, the team is in a precarious spot. They have a number of seasoned players who could be moved to kickstart a rebuild. However, doing so would effectively mean giving up on the current season—and it’s unclear if the team’s young core is ready to carry that load.
If the Cardinals opt to sell, veterans like Nolan Arenado and Ryan Helsley are likely trade candidates. But they might not be the only ones on the move. Brendan Donovan, despite having over two years remaining on his contract, could also be in play.
Donovan might be the Cardinals’ most appealing trade chip. He’s affordable, still under arbitration, and earning under \$3 million this year. Hitting .328 with a 2.00 WAR, Donovan also offers versatility—capable of playing second base, third base, and left field. For a contending team, he’d be a costly but valuable acquisition.
Brandon Donovan is expendable thanks to Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt
What could make Brendan Donovan expendable is the rise of 22-year-old Double-A infielder JJ Wetherholt, who is slashing .284 with an .828 OPS. While not known for his power, Wetherholt brings positional flexibility similar to Donovan and was a former first-round pick. He’s quickly approaching MLB readiness.
A natural shortstop and MLB’s No. 20 overall prospect, Wetherholt is unlikely to take that position in St. Louis with Masyn Winn already entrenched there. Instead, he’s expected to slide over to second or third base. Although the Cardinals would prefer to keep Donovan, if Wetherholt can step in as a capable replacement, trading Donovan for a strong prospect return could make sense.
According to MLB Pipeline, Wetherholt remains an above-average runner even after injury setbacks. He began his college career playing second and third before transitioning to shortstop in 2024, a move he has continued in the minors. He has the tools to stick at short but will likely shift positions once he reaches the majors due to Winn’s presence.
If the Cardinals are leading or within reach of the NL Central title, a trade involving Donovan is unlikely—unless an irresistible offer comes in. That said, with two months until the deadline, trade talks could pick up at any moment.
