The New York Mets are still searching for an infielder as negotiations with Pete Alonso remain at a standstill.
As a result, the Mets are keeping all options open. Currently, Brett Baty is projected to start at third base, with Mark Vientos manning first.
However, the team could pursue a trade for a Gold Glove winner from the St. Louis Cardinals. Surprisingly, this isn’t the Gold Glover most would expect, but rather Brendan Donovan. With the Cardinals aiming to reduce payroll, Donovan could be a realistic target for the Mets.
In 2024, Donovan posted a .278 batting average with 14 home runs and 73 RBIs. According to Baseball Savant, he was a strong offensive contributor for St. Louis last season.
While most of his playing time came in left field due to Nolan Arenado anchoring third base, Donovan logged 52 2/3 innings at the position and graded out as league-average defensively per FanGraphs.
Here’s a potential trade scenario:
New York Mets receive:
- UTL Brendan Donovan
St. Louis Cardinals receive:
- INF Ronny Mauricio (Mets No. 6 prospect)
- RHP Dom Hamel (Mets No. 15 prospect)
- OF Alex Ramírez (Mets No. 24 prospect)
Donovan, who still has three years of team control, wouldn’t come cheap. However, his 2025 salary remains appealingly affordable. He’s currently in arbitration, with Donovan requesting $3.3 million and the Cardinals countering at $2.85 million. Even if his third arbitration year pushes his salary to $15 million, he’d still be a more cost-effective option than Pete Alonso or Alex Bregman.
On the Cardinals’ side, the deal would bring them Mauricio, who hit .248 in his MLB debut, along with Hamel, who pitched for Triple-A Syracuse in 2024, and Ramírez, who played at Double-A Binghamton.
Donovan, originally drafted as an infielder, could return to his roots with the Mets, making this a move worth considering for both sides.
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