The conversation around Los Angeles Dodgers trade rumors is shifting again, and this time it centers on one of the most versatile and reliable players potentially available this offseason. As the St. Louis Cardinals continue to explore roster reshaping under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, Brendan Donovan has emerged as a name gaining serious traction—both within the industry and among contenders looking to strengthen their everyday core.
That list now includes a familiar rival.
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Red Sox Enter the Donovan Conversation
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According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the Boston Red Sox have discussed a potential trade with St. Louis involving Donovan, a development that adds urgency to an already competitive market.
“St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, who already has traded right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox, might not be done dealing with his former club,” Rosenthal and Sammon wrote.
“The Cardinals and Red Sox also have discussed a trade that would send infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan to Boston, according to people briefed on the conversations.”
They added that no deal is imminent, but Donovan would command a far more significant return than either Gray or Contreras—both of whom were moved with salary considerations attached.
Boston’s involvement matters for the Dodgers, who were previously identified by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand as a team “believed to be a landing spot” for Donovan earlier in the offseason. With another aggressive buyer now firmly in the mix, the path to a deal becomes narrower.
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Why Donovan Makes Sense for the Dodgers
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Few players align with the Dodgers’ roster philosophy as cleanly as Donovan. He won a utility Gold Glove as a rookie, has played all over the infield, and can handle corner outfield duties when needed. Offensively, he has been consistently productive in every season of his career, finishing 2025 with a .287 batting average and a .775 OPS while earning his first All-Star selection.
From a Dodgers-centric perspective, Donovan checks multiple boxes: positional flexibility, strong contact skills, and a profile that plays in October. He can lengthen a lineup, provide insurance across the diamond, and fit seamlessly into a roster built on matchup advantages and depth.
ESPN insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan underscored that value, placing the Dodgers among Donovan’s top suitors.
“The Cardinals are not eager to trade Donovan, but the market for him is percolating,” they wrote. “Donovan is a steady 3-win player with more value than most fans realize.”
With two remaining years of arbitration control, Donovan also fits the Dodgers’ preference for cost certainty without sacrificing performance.
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Cardinals Balancing Value and Timing
From St. Louis’ standpoint, the interest makes sense—even if moving Donovan is not the preferred outcome. Bloom has already shown a willingness to leverage valuable veterans to restock the organization, and Donovan represents perhaps the Cardinals’ most attractive trade asset.
Reports suggest St. Louis would seek high-upside, controllable hitters in return, with names like Dalton Rushing or Emil Morales frequently floated as the type of talent that would move discussions forward. Whether that price ultimately aligns with the Dodgers’ internal evaluations remains the central question.
What is clear is that the market is broad. Beyond the Dodgers and Red Sox, teams such as the Mariners, Giants, Royals, Guardians, and others have been linked to Donovan, with some reports suggesting more than half the league has at least checked in.
Dodgers Trade Rumors Enter a Critical Phase
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The Dodgers have been connected to headline names like Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker this winter, but Donovan represents a different kind of opportunity—one that strengthens the roster without altering the organization’s long-term financial flexibility.
As Dodgers trade rumors intensify entering the most decisive stretch of the offseason, Donovan stands out as both a realistic target and a near-ideal fit. The longer St. Louis waits, the more leverage it gains. For Los Angeles, that reality may mean acting sooner rather than later.
If the Dodgers believe Donovan is the piece that deepens their lineup and sustains their championship window, the presence of Boston and a crowded field could force their hand. In a market this competitive, patience can quickly turn into a missed opportunity.