The St. Louis Cardinals have a lot to manage over the next few months. While the 2025 MLB trade deadline will be a hugely important time, the team also needs to make tough decisions on how it will construct its roster for years to come.
One of the focal points of this rebuild, the Cardinals are on the precipice of, is Brendan Donovan. The team's versatile infielder and outfielder, Donovan, is a huge part of the Cardinals at the moment, but with an extension looming in two more years, there is concern that he could be on his way out of the city.
Fortunately, in an update from Fair Territory on YouTube, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal provided an encouraging update. From shutting down a wild trade pitch of Donovan to the Yankees, to his view that Donovan is one of the top players likely to get an extension soon, Rosenthal's update was a great sign for the Cardinals.
"Donovan is a really good player," Rosenthal said. "And certainly someone I think the Cardinals would want to keep and extend. He's not necessarily young, but he's a guy that is outstanding."
Rosenthal naming Donovan as an "outstanding" player is a great sign. Not only do the Cardinals see Donovan's greatness, but so do national reporters and MLB insiders.
In 2025, Donovan is batting an incredible .323. Across his 257 at-bats, Donovan has 83 hits, 38 runs scored, 21 doubles, four home runs, 27 RBIs, three stolen bases, 22 walks, and 39 strikeouts.
Offensively, Donovan has been one of the best Cardinals players in 2025. He has the highest batting average of any hitter with at least 50 at-bats, and is second in OPS among all Cardinals batters with at least 50 at-bats.
Donovan is sixth in baseball in batting average and tied for tenth in hits across all of baseball. His .388 on-base percentage is 11th in all of MLB, and he's continuing to impress in his fourth season in the MLB.
For the Cardinals, there's no reason not to bring him back long-term. With this report from Rosenthal, there is a lot of optimism that Donovan will stick with the Cardinals for years to come. If the Cardinals' front office wants to bring him back, there is a lot to look forward to in St. Louis.