How Marcelo Mayer Could Prevent Red Sox From Trading For Brendan Donovan
Donovan doesn't appear to be Boston's top trade target
The Boston Red Sox have put themselves in a tough spot after losing Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs in free agency. The team still has several options to replace the loss of Bregman, but it doesn’t appear like Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals is one of their top targets.
Given the Sox’s relationship with Chaim Bloom and the Cardinals’ front office, Donovan has emerged as a potential trade target for the team in the wake of Bregman’s departure. In 2025, Donovan hit .287 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs, which helped him earn the first All-Star selection of his career.
Donovan can play at several different spots in the field, which would seemingly make him an intriguing option for Boston. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, though, the Sox’s desire to give Marcelo Mayer more at-bats could prevent them from truly making a run for Donovan.
“The St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan figures to be less appealing to the Sox, who already feature a surplus of left-handed hitters,” Rosenthal reported. “The team wants to create opportunity for one of those players, Marcelo Mayer, at second or third base.
Mayer, 23, had only 136 plate appearances last season before undergoing season-ending right wrist surgery.”
While Donovan would help out in the infield, he’s not a true fit for Boston. Guys like Nico Hoerner or Eugenio Suarez would seemingly make more sense for the Red Sox, and if they are going to bring someone to town, the front office would likely rather pursue them.
At this stage of the game, though, it seems like all options are on the table for the Sox. So while Donovan isn’t exactly the most logical fit for Boston, he can’t truly be ruled out until the team actually goes out and makes a move.
