Cardinals All-Star's Trade Likelihood Revealed After Strong First Half

"This is a long shot, as there haven't been any solid rumors or even any vaguely compelling chatter about Brendan Donovan getting traded this summer." Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer wrote.

"Not that this is surprising. He's been the Cardinals' best position player, and the team has risen above low expectations amid a 51-46 start to the year. They will begin the second half with only a 1.5-game deficit in the NL wild-card race."

The 28-year old, first-time all-star is enjoying his best season yet with St. Louis.

Through 89 games, Donovan is slashing .297/.367/.430 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs. His 102 hits rank tied for sixth in the National League with 2024 National League batting champion Luis Arraez and last year's NL MVP Shohei Ohtani.

"However, St. Louis has also been treading water with a 15-18 record over its last 33 games." Rymer suggested. "FanGraphs gives it a 28.5 percent chance of making the playoffs, which is barely better than where it began the year."

The Cardinals recent struggles, coupled with Donovan's stellar play, certainly make him an intriguing trade candidate. So does the timing of the Cardinals front-office change writes Rymer.

"It's a matter of public knowledge  that the Cardinals will be undergoing a transition after 2025, with Chaim Bloom set to inherit the front office from John Mozeliak. If the team continues to fade in the NL playoff race, it would be wise to get a head start on the process."

"The present isn't special, after all, and the future is clouded by a mediocre farm system. If nothing else, trading Donovan would help the latter."

Despite the timing, Rymer puts the likelihood of the Cardinals dealing Donovan before the MLB trade deadline is low.