Sep 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan (33) celebrates his double against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Yankees Linked to Cardinals Slugger

Originally posted on New York Yankees on SI
By Joseph Randazzo | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 10:00 AM ET

The New York Yankees could use a pest in their lineup. They have the big boppers in Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, and Giancarlo Stanton. It's three guys with over 100 home runs between them who can send a ball a long way. What they don't have is a guy at the top or bottom of their lineup that can wear a pitcher out, spoiling every pitch thrown their way.

It is why a trade for someone like Brendan Donovan could be an intriguing one for the Yankees. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, they are one of a few teams interested in the St. Louis Cardinals' second baseman, who has experience all over the field.

"Infielder Brendon Donovan, who is arbitration-eligible for two more years, is also drawing a lot of interest and seems likely to be traded," Feinsand writes. "The Yankees, Dodgers, Royals, and Guardians are among the teams believed to be potential landing spots for Donovan."

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There's a lot to like about Donovan. He's a high on-base guy who owns a .361 OBP in his career. The Yankees used Trent Grisham as a leadoff man all year, and with him likely headed to free agency, Donovan could fill that role.

Granted, Grisham and Donovan bring two distinct skill sets to the table. Grisham is now a power threat with a prolific 14.1% walk rate, which was one of the best in baseball. Donovan doesn't have much of a power game, and his 8.2% walk rate isn't quite as high as Grisham's, but Donovan is a tough at-bat.

Donovan has a 25% chase rate, 13.4% whiff rate, and a 13% K rate. This is coupled with a .285 expected batting average.

The one issue with Donovan, if the Yankees do trade for him, is where that puts Jazz Chisholm Jr.? Chisholm had an 8 OAA at second base in 2025, ranking him among the best defensive second basemen in the sport. Unless general manager Brian Cashman surprises everybody by trading Chisholm, they won't be moving him to make room for Donovan.

Donovan has minimal experience at third, but that is currently taken by Ryan McMahon, who has a vaccum for a glove at the hot corner. McMahon would make the most sense to be moved in a trade, but who outside of the Colorado Rockies and Cashman thinks it's worth paying $16 million for a glove-first third baseman?

Donovan also has a little experience in left field. In 817 innings in 2024, he was a neutral defender in left. He had a 0 OAA at the position. Last season, he played in 152 innings there and had a -2 OAA.

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As the roster is currently constructed, Donovan isn't a great defensive fit unless somebody is moved, and the Yankees should be adding, not subtracting. A lot can happen between now and when pitchers and catchers report a few days before Valentine's Day, so whether a Donovan move pans out remains to be seen.

If the Yankees do go out and trade for him, where would he play, and how would the Yankees manipulate the roster to make it work? The one thing that makes the most sense for now is left field, and it is hardly his strongest position. If they do lose Cody Bellinger and decide to sit out the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, he would be a good add, though.

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