The Boston Red Sox got in on the offseason action early this winter and made a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Cardinals to net starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan think Boston may not be done trading with the Redbirds.
McDaniel and Passan of ESPN tabbed the Red Sox as a top trade destination for Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan. They named him the 11th most intriguing trade candidate this winter and estimate there's a 75% chance he'll be dealt. The Dodgers, Yankees, Giants and Mariners are among the other teams linked to Donovan.
Links between the Red Sox and Donovan have been minimal this offseason, despite the likelihood of a trade out of St. Louis (subscription required). The 28-year-old can play second base, third base and left field, all positions which are uncertain for the Sox, as of now.
If Boston completes a reunion with Alex Bregman, it won't need Donovan at the hot corner. Kristian Campbell's positional future is also up in the air — he struggled at second base during his first stint in the big leagues, and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said he believes the former top prospect would be more at home in the outfield, which is already packed.
ESPN insiders name Red Sox as top trade destination for Cardinals' Brendan Donovan in the wake of Sonny Gray deal
Despite the uncertain fit, it wouldn't be shocking to see St. Louis look back to Boston to make another trade. Former Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom took over as the Cardinals' president of baseball operations after the longtime man in charge, John Mozeliak, retired after the 2025 season. Bloom knows the Red Sox's big leaguers well, as well as the ins and outs of their farm system, and may already have a return in mind for a potential Donovan deal.
Donovan has two years of team control remaining on his contract and he could provide some of the power Boston seeks for its lineup after a streaky offensive season. Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with a .775 OPS, 32 doubles, 10 homers, 50 RBI, 67 strikeouts and 42 walks over 118 games last season. His strikeout rate ranks in the 97th percentile and his whiff percentage clocks in the 95th percentile which could help the Red Sox with their issues scoring runners. But Donovan hits left-handed (the Red Sox are desperate for a righty bat, especially with Bregman unsigned) and he's limited to mostly inside the park power. He's never hit more than 14 home runs in a single season, although he only averages 123 games per year since his debut in 2022.
Donovan probably isn't (and shouldn't be) the Red Sox's first choice offensive addition this winter because they could really use a slugging corner infielder, but Donovan offers unique versatility that Alex Cora would surely love. Still, his offensive consistency, lack of strikeouts and gap power could help Boston on its way to a more solid batting order.