The St. Louis Cardinals are in the midst of a rebuilding phase that began at the start of the offseason. Instead of re-signing several veterans, they chose to let them depart in free agency.
One notable veteran who left is former MVP Paul Goldschmidt, who has quickly made an impact with the New York Yankees.
As the team focuses on rebuilding, there are few immediate additions to make, but they do have opportunities to shape their future roster.
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In a recent prediction, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter suggested that the Cardinals might extend 28-year-old utility player Brendan Donovan with a five-year, $60 million contract.
“St. Louis has been proactive in handing out early extensions, and Donovan is a strong candidate for one,” Reuter explained. “The 27-year-old is similar to Ben Zobrist, with excellent on-base skills and defensive flexibility.
A deal that secures his final two arbitration years at $5 million in 2026 and $10 million in 2027, then pays him $15 million annually for the first three years of free agency, is a win for both sides.”
Donovan’s versatility and high level of play at multiple positions make him a valuable asset to the team.
With two arbitration years left on his contract, this prediction suggests the Cardinals will buy out those remaining years, keeping him under team control for an additional three seasons.
This move would be a significant step for the Cardinals, as Donovan is expected to play a key role in their eventual return to contention.
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