St. Louis Cardinals News

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman/outfielder Brendan Donovan has been linked to numerous trade discussions this offseason. However, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the Seattle Mariners are currently viewed as the "best fit" for the 28-year-old utility man. Given that the Mariners have numerous young prospect hitters like Colt Emreson and Lazaro Montes, they seemed positioned to offer the Cardinals the best return. Additionally, the Mariners could use an offensive boost in the infield as Cole Young is currently projected to be the everyday second baseman, while Ben Williamson shares the hot corner with Ryan Bliss. Last season, Donovan posted a strong .287/.353/.422 line with 10 home runs and three stolen bases. While he would be moving to a tougher home park for hitters, his counting stats could improve if he bats near the top of the Seattle lineup.

The Kansas City Royals have shown interest in acquiring Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Cardinals have shopped Donovan all offseason but have struggled to find a trade partner. While he is under club control for another two seasons, the Cardinals are looking for a sizeable return for Donovan, who the team views as a high-end player. This offseason, the Royals did not make many major additions to their starting lineup, which means Donovan could fill a super-utility role, playing time at second base and the outfield, as he has done in St. Louis. Last season, the 28-year-old posted a career-best .287 AVG with 32 doubles, 10 home runs, and three stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate, striking out at just 13.0% of the time. Donovan could see an uptick in counting stats if he joins Kansas City, batting alongside Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez.

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired left-hander Justin Bruihl from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations, as announced by both teams. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals designated right-hander Zak Kent for assignment. Bruihl has pitched five years in the majors, posting a 4.72 ERA, 69 strikeouts, and a 1.37 WHIP across 89 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old does a solid job of keeping the ball on the ground and has held left-handed hitters to a .224 batting average over his career. Bruihl appears to be a replacement for lefty reliever John King, who was non-tendered by St. Louis following the 2025 season. Outside of very deep leagues that count holds, Bruihl can safely be left off fantasy radars heading into 2026.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox have discussed a trade for Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan, per Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic. Across 515 plate appearances for St. Louis in 2025, Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI, 64 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Donovan turns 29 in mid-January and is under club control through the 2027 season. His best attribute might be his versatility, as he's spent time at second base, third base, corner outfield, and even shortstop. In Boston, Donovan would likely see most of his playing time in the infield, depending on whether or not the Red Sox bring back free agent third baseman Alex Bregman. Donovan is a better real-life player than a fantasy asset, given his limited power and speed contributions. However, he could see a slight jump in value if he lands an everyday role in a more potent lineup, such as Boston's.

The Los Angeles Angels have shown interest in St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Arenado's performance has steadily declined over the past few seasons, and the Cardinals appear to be entering a rebuild. St. Louis has already moved on from veterans such as right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras. In 2025, Arenado slashed .237/.289/.377 with 12 home runs, 52 RBI, and 48 runs scored across 436 plate appearances. His 84 wRC+ was the lowest mark of his career outside of his 2013 rookie season. The 34-year-old also missed time with a shoulder injury, limiting him to just 107 games. For a trade to be possible, Arenado would need to waive his no-trade clause, and it remains unclear whether he would be willing to do so to return to his native Southern California. Earlier this week, the Angels restructured the contract of oft-injured third baseman Anthony Rendon, thus making a trade for Arenado more plausible. While Arenado is no longer the elite offensive force he once was, he remains an above-average defender with solid contact skills. If traded to Los Angeles, he would likely play every day and hit in the middle of the lineup. From a fantasy perspective, Arenado currently carries an ADP of around 580, making him essentially free in drafts. That price makes him a reasonable late-round flyer as a corner infielder or bench bat in 15-team leagues. If Arenado is moved, then the Cardinals' top prospect, J.J. Wetherholt, would have a greater chance of making the club out of spring training. Keep Wetherholt on your fantasy radar for 2026.

Outfielder/infielder Alec Burleson is set to be the St. Louis Cardinals' everyday first baseman in 2026, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The move comes after St. Louis dealt Willson Contreras to the Red Sox earlier this week for right-handers Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo, and Blake Aita. With Contreras gone, Burleson will move over to first base after spending most of 2025 in the outfield. He put together a strong offensive season last year, posting a .802 OPS and .275 xBA with 18 home runs, 69 RBI, 54 runs scored, and five stolen bases, good for a 124 wRC+. He also showed excellent plate discipline, striking out just 14.5% of the time. Defensively, Burleson graded out as a below-average outfielder, but he did make 38 starts at first base in 2025, so the transition shouldn't be much of an issue. From a fantasy perspective, Burleson offers dual eligibility and is expected to play every day, including against left-handed pitching after showing real improvement against them last season. Looking ahead to 2026, Burleson projects for up to 25 home runs with a .270 batting average while hitting in the middle of the Cardinals' lineup, making him a player who should be rostered in both 12- and 15-team leagues.

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins and right-handed pitching prospects Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for veteran first baseman Willson Contreras, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. As part of the deal, St. Louis will cover $8 million of the $41.5 million remaining on Contreras' contract. The Cardinals are in rebuild mode and did not see Contreras as their first baseman of the future. Dobbins, 26, logged a 4.13 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 45 strikeouts over 61 innings during the 2025 season before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee while attempting to cover first base. He has since begun a throwing program and is expected to be ready for spring training, where he'll compete for a rotation spot. Aita, 22, spent last season between Single-A and High-A Greenville, posting a 3.98 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 14.9% K-BB rate across 115 1/3 innings. He is expected to remain in the minors next season. Fajardo, the youngest of the trio at 19, recorded a 2.81 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 28.8% strikeout rate over 51 1/3 innings last season. Although Fajardo is a few years away from being called up to the majors, his strikeout ability gives him the highest ceiling among the three pitchers.

Free-agent right-hander Dustin May and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed on an undisclosed one-year deal on Saturday that includes a mutual option for the 2027 season, pending a physical, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. May will return to the National League after starting the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers before being traded to the Boston Red Sox. The 28-year-old went a combined 7-11 with a career-worst 4.96 ERA (4.88 FIP), 1.42 WHIP, and 123:56 K:BB ratio in 132 1/3 innings pitched over 25 appearances (23 starts). The numbers don't look great, but the biggest takeaway was that May managed to stay healthy for a career-high 132 1/3 frames. Especially after St. Louis traded Sonny Gray away this offseason, May should be a lock for a starting rotation spot with the Cards going into next season. Through his first six MLB seasons, the former third-rounder has been a disappointment due to injuries and a lackluster 21.9% strikeout rate.

Mass Live's Chris Cotillo writes that the Boston Red Sox could be pursuing a trade for St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras, according to a source. The Red Sox continue to look for upgrades to their offense after missing out on sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso this week. Boston is one of many teams interested in Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan, too, but St. Louis might not move him. Contreras, a three-time All-Star, is believed to be available with two years and $41 million (plus a 2028 option) left on his deal. He has full no-trade protection, but the 33-year-old veteran might be open to waiving it for the right situation. Acquiring Contreras would give the BoSox a steady right-handed bat while also providing insurance at first base with Triston Casas coming back from knee surgery. Contreras had career-highs in RBI (80), doubles (31), and runs (70) after moving to first base full time in 2025.

The St. Louis Cardinals are not necessarily looking to trade infielder Brendan Donovan, but ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the "market for him is percolating." Several teams see Donovan as an option at second base, third base, or left field. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter gives teams options, as he can hit leadoff or bat in the middle of the order because of his elite bat-to-ball skills and gap power. He has two years of club control left and is very affordable in arbitration before he reaches free agency. The Cardinals are retooling under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, and almost nobody on the roster is off limits. For fantasy purposes, outside of Donovan's excellent contact and on-base skills and positional versatility, he doesn't bring much intrigue. The Dodgers, Mariners, Yankees, Red Sox, Pirates, Giants, Royals, and Guardians are teams that could come calling for Donovan.

The Athletic's Katie Woo reports that St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras is open to trade offers this offseason and has "become more willing to waive his full no-trade clause." Woo goes on to explain that it won't necessarily change the Cardinals' order of operations, but they are "open to shopping Contreras." The top priority of the winter will be to trade veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado and one of their left-handed hitters. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar and infielder Brendan Donovan continue to receive interest from other clubs. Contreras handled himself very well defensively in his first season as a full-time first baseman, and although his plate discipline isn't anything special, his elite bat speed allows him to do plenty of damage as a hitter. The 33-year-old is owed $41.5 million over the next two years (with a team option for a third season). Teams such as the Padres, Marlins, Diamondbacks, and Pirates could be interested in landing Contreras.

The St. Louis Cardinals are acquiring right-hander Richard Fitts and left-hander Brandon Clarke from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Sonny Gray and cash, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Cardinals are sending Boston $20 million to cover Gray's salary of $35 million in 2026. The 25-year-old Fitts will have a good shot at opening next season in St. Louis' starting rotation. In his first two years in the majors with Boston, he went 2-5 with a 3.97 ERA (5.02 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 49:23 K:BB in 15 outings (14 starts) over 65 2/3 innings pitched. Fitts struggled in 11 appearances (10 starts) in 2025, posting a 5.00 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 45 frames. He's under team control through 2031. Clarke, 22, has plenty of upside long term with an electric fastball and a wipeout slider. The young southpaw had a 4.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 60:27 K:BB in 14 starts in 2025 with Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) has been dealing with pain in both of his heels for the last two and a half years, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Nootbaar had surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 and hopes to put the issues in the past in 2026. The 28-year-old outfielder admitted that he was definitely affected by his foot problems again in 2025, in which he slashed .234/.325/.361 with a .686 OPS, 13 home runs, 48 RBI, 68 runs scored, and only four stolen bases in 509 at-bats over a career-high 135 games played. He may be able to rebound next year if the surgeries solve his problems, but fantasy managers won't be in a rush to find out, especially since he could be delayed beyond Opening Day. In his five MLB seasons, Nootbaar has been unable to clear the 14-homer mark and doesn't have more than 48 RBI in a single season.

St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said that outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) isn't guaranteed to be ready for Opening Day in 2026 after having surgery on both of his heels. The Cardinals will not rush Nootbaar through the rehab process, but if he does miss time at the start of the season, it would be a "limited amount of time." The 28-year-old outfielder had surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 and could be delayed in the early going next season. Despite playing in a career-high 135 games for the Red Birds in 2025, Nootbaar wasn't able to improve on his counting stats as a hitter. The former eighth-round pick in 2018 out of USC slashed .234/.325/.361 with a .686 OPS, 13 home runs, 68 runs scored, 48 RBI, and four stolen bases in his 509 at-bats. At best, Nootbaar will be a late-round flier for outfield depth in fantasy drafts next spring.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Friday that outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) underwent surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 to shave down Haglund's deformities, according to John Denton of MLB.com. It's unclear if Nootbaar's surgeries will put his status for spring training or the start of the 2026 regular season in jeopardy at this time. The 28-year-old outfielder managed to play in a career-high 135 games for the Red Birds in 2025 in his fifth year in the majors, but his counting stats didn't take a step forward. In 583 plate appearances, the left-handed-hitting outfielder slashed a mediocre .234/.325/.361 with a career-low .686 OPS, 13 home runs, a career-high 48 RBI, 68 runs scored, and just four stolen bases. The oft-injured 28-year-old is unlikely to take the next step offensively unless he starts making better quality of contact and hitting the ball in the air more.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Friday that second baseman Brendan Donovan (hernia) underwent sports hernia surgery on Oct. 7, according to John Denton of MLB.com. Donovan was shut down towards the tail end of the regular season in September due to a hernia that he dealt with during the second half. The 28-year-old should be recovered well in time to be ready for the start of spring training in February, though. While Donovan is a much better real-life asset than a fantasy one because of his limited power and speed, it doesn't take away from the fact that he was one of the team's most consistent contributors in 2025 while playing multiple positions on the diamond. Donovan, a former seventh-rounder in 2018 out of South Alabama, was a first-time All-Star in his fourth MLB season and slashed a healthy .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI, 64 runs scored, and three steals in 118 games played.

According to a source, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (elbow) had successful surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow on Oct. 15, per Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. The surgery is not expected to delay Herrera's offseason work, so he should be ready for the start of spring training next year in mid-February. Although the Cardinals used the 25-year-old almost exclusively as a designated hitter after the All-Star break in 2025, he's expected to open next season as the team's primary backstop. Despite missing time with injuries, the Panamanian backstop had a breakout season for the Red Birds in his fourth year in the big leagues, slashing .284/.373/.464 with an .837 OPS, 19 home runs, 66 RBI, 54 runs scored, and even eight stolen bases in 452 plate appearances over 107 games played. There's a lot to like about Herrera, who has hit a strong .286 (192-for-672) in his four seasons in the majors.

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (knee) had successful surgery on Thursday to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee in Texas, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Previous estimates have Winn returning to full baseball activities by January, which means he should be ready in plenty of time before spring training. Winn had been playing through the injury for a while, but once it was clear that the Cardinals weren't going to be in the postseason, they shut him down. The 23-year-old is an excellent defender and can also contribute offensively, although he's not a high-end fantasy shortstop due to a lack of power. In his third big-league season, Winn finished with a .253/.310/.363 slash line, .673 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, 72 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 129 games played. He should be just fine for Opening Day in 2026, barring a setback during his offseason rehab.

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan (groin) is likely to appear only in an emergency in the final series of the season this weekend at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. The Cardinals asked Donovan to push hard through a groin injury and general body soreness until they were eliminated from playoff contention, and he did. The Cardinals have been officially limited from the postseason, so they are shutting the 28-year-old down. Donovan was a first-time All-Star in 2025 for the Red Birds, hitting a strong .287 (132-for-460) in 118 games. Although he makes a lot of contact and has hit for a career .282 average in four MLB seasons, the lack of counting stats doesn't make him very attractive to fantasy managers. Donovan contributed only 10 home runs, 50 RBI, three steals, and 64 runs on the season. Nolan Gorman and Jose Fermin can fill in at second for Donovan to close out the final series.

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore will not make his scheduled start in Sunday's season finale against the Chicago Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. With the Cardinals eliminated from contention, they will will shut Liberatore down early and opt for a bullpen game. In what will go down as his last start of 2025, the 25-year-old tossed five innings of one-run ball in a win over the Milwaukee Brewers last Sunday. After spending the majority of his first three seasons as a reliever, Liberatore served as a full-time starter this year. He finished 8-12 with a 4.21 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, 122 strikeouts, and 40 walks over 29 starts and 151 2/3 innings.