Pair Of Cardinals Studs Make 'All-Trade Candidate Team' With St. Louis Set To Be Sellers
The St. Louis Cardinals have plenty of intriguing trade candidates.
St. Louis currently is 41-53 on the season and although the club has been solid since the All-Star break, still likely will be sellers at the trade deadline. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak insinuated changes were on the horizon. Two Cardinals that could be on the move and were listed on the "All-Trade Candidate Team" as the best second baseman and shortstop available are Brendan Donovan and Paul DeJong, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
"Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said last week that changes were going to be made before the Trade Deadline, adding that he hopes to 'keep our core together and then supplement it properly,'" Feinsand said. "That likely means keeping Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, but if St. Louis needs pitching, it’s going to have to give up something of value. Donovan has proven to be a productive utility player, capable of playing every infield position and the corner outfield spots.
"The Cardinals would likely prefer to hold on to the 26-year-old, but given the club’s unfamiliar position as sellers, it’s difficult to rule anything out in the coming weeks. Donovan won’t be eligible for arbitration until the end of the 2025 season."
While Feinsand noted Donovan's buzz factor was low meaning there's a chance he won't be moved, he made it sound as if the chances of DeJong being dealt were significantly higher.
"Unlike Donovan, DeJong is a likely candidate to get traded, as he’s owed a little more than $3 million this season and has club options for 2024-25. DeJong turns 30 on Aug. 2 and is enjoying a nice bounce-back season after a difficult 2022, making him an ideal option for clubs looking to boost production at shortstop.
"As previously mentioned, the Cardinals will be in deal-making mode, with DeJong high on the list of players likely to be moved."
Donovan and DeJong aren't the only Cardinals players who have found their names in trade rumors and the club likely will look extremely different when the trade deadline passes.
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