Red Sox Named As Potential Landing Spot For All-Star Utility Player
Boston could use more positional flexibility
The Boston Red Sox have been linked to several impact players this offseason, and could look to the trade market this offseason.
Boston has some holes to fill, and one area of need could be adding some more positional flexibility, which is what the Toronto Blue Jays did so well last season.
With that, ESPN MLB insiders Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel named the Red Sox as a potential landing spot in a trade for St. Louis Cardinals’ utility player Brendan Donovan.
“The Cardinals are not eager to trade Donovan, but the market for him is percolating, and a number of teams see the 28-year-old as an option at second base, third base or left field.,” the insiders wrote, in a piece published on Tuesday. “Because of his excellent bat-to-ball skills and gap power, Donovan can bat leadoff or occupy a middle-of-the-order role on a team with boppers.
“Almost nobody is off-limits as new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom retools the Cardinals, and Donovan is the best of the available bunch. … Team fits: Dodgers, Mariners, Yankees, Red Sox, Pirates, Giants, Royals, Guardians.”
Donovan can play all over the diamond for Alex Cora and give the Red Sox manager some flexibility to make late-inning moves.
Donovan was an All-Star in 2025 and won the Gold Glove Award in 2022. He can play second base, shortstop, third base, and both corner outfield positions, as well as first base in a pinch.
The 28-year-old is arbitration-eligible and is under team control through the 2027 season. Donovan hit .287 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs last season with the Cardinals.
