Brendan Donovan‘s name has been mentioned in trade rumors for a few years now, but with the Cardinals moving into rebuilding mode this winter, it seemed like only a matter of time before the All-Star was used. That said, it’s not a guarantee that another club will meet the reportedly high asking price for the cards, and Donovan won’t stay on the market forever.
Cardinals president of baseball Chaim Bloom didn’t share many details about the trade talks when he spoke to reporters (including Derrick Goold of the St.I think well“I’d like to see Donovan’s situation resolved in some way by the start of Spring Training. This is certainly less than Diamondbacks manager Mike Hazen firmly announcing the end of Ketel Marte trade talks, but it’s an indication that Bloom may have a specific deadline in mind.
This could be a way to put more pressure on Donovan’s suitors to raise their offers, or it could reflect the simple fact that Donovan and the Cardinals have a season of preparation, and the ongoing trade hype will continue to be a distraction. While the hot stove won’t completely cool off until a deal is done, Donovan would certainly like to focus on baseball during Grapefruit League play. Having rumors so heavy on Donovan that it’s affecting his play doesn’t help Donovan, the Cardinals, or the team’s efforts to command a high return on the trade market.
With Donovan under arbitration control over the next two seasons, there’s no immediate reason for the St. The situation also eased a bit if Nolan Arenado against the Diamondbacks, thus opening up the Cardinals’ third base and creating less need for Donovan to get out at second base.
Moving some of Arenado’s salary was the most important part of his trade, but from a pure baseball perspective, the rebuilding Cardinals wanted as much lane as possible for their young players to get regular at-bats. Nolan Gorman again Thomas Saggese they should benefit from the playing time at third base available, but both Bloom and manager Oliver Marmol reiterated this weekend (to Gould and other media) that high prospect. JJ Wetherholt you have the opportunity to make an opening day plan for the cards.
Baseball America ranked Wetherholt fourth on its updated August list of the top 100 prospects in baseball, and MLB Pipeline has Wetherholt fifth on its current list. The 23-year-old infielder is sure to have another top shelf presence when the 2026 prospect list is released, as Wetherholt has performed well in his first full pro season – hitting .300/.425/.466 over 275 plate appearances at Double-A Springfield, then hitting .314/21a after PA2 past 216 Ball of Triple-A.
Wetherholt compiled 17 homers and 23 steals (in 26 chances) over a total of 496 PA and 109 games while playing primarily at shortstop, but made 20 appearances as a second baseman and 12 appearances at third base. The Cardinals won’t be rushing things with their prized prospect, and if the hot corner is going to be Wetherholt’s entry point into his big league career, his outfield development could be the deciding factor in whether or not he breaks camp. However, both scouts and the Cardinals themselves have a high opinion of Wetherholt’s glovework, and feel he can adapt anywhere.
“There is flexibility there. His mentality will allow him, in my opinion, to succeed in any of these [positions],” said Marmol.It is a special concept. It’s the one I continue to be struck by.”
The shortstop position may not be open to Wetherholt as long as Masyn Winn he is, as Winn is one of the best defenders in the game. Winn won his first Golden Glove in 2025 despite playing with a meniscus tear in the second half of the season, and had arthroscopic knee surgery in late September to correct the issue.
The minor procedure wasn’t expected to impact Winn’s readiness for Spring Training, and Bloom confirmed as much to reporters (including Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch) this weekend. Winn says “even in rehab mode. He is currently preparing for the season,” Bloom said.
Ivan Herrera and is making good progress in his recovery since October surgery to remove a bone spur from his throwing arm. Bloom said Herrera has started his pitching routine, and his preseason preparation next week will include starting his hitting career, as well as catching and catching work behind the plate. Herrera worked mostly as a DH in an injury-plagued 2025 season, as he played in just 107 games. Although his bat hasn’t suffered (19 homers and a .284/.373/.464 slash line in 452 PA), Herrera is eager to get back to catching in 2026.
Defense was considered a question mark for Herrera even before his health issues were resolved, so his future as a catcher is far from settled. Spring Training will provide answers regarding Herrera’s recovery and development, but “I think it is difficult to test strictly in the spring,” said Marmol.If you think about what pitchers do in the spring, they work in a certain area. You don’t plan a game against a hitter. There are some things that we will be able to continue to fix and improve in the spring. But I think that is a difficult question.”
As Goold notes, Herrera’s catching ability has implications for the Cardinals’ broader roster decisions. If Herrera is going to be the primary DH again, the Cards will need to draft two eligible catchers — Pedro Pagesand one of the Yohel Pozo or Jimmy Crooks. If the Cardinals feel good enough about Herrera’s defense to make him part-time, that means Pozo and Crooks will start the season in Triple-A, or one of them could be trade fodder.
