With the St. Louis Cardinals' pitchers and catchers set to report in just under two weeks, the pressure is on Chaim Bloom to finalize his first offseason as president of baseball operations. Bloom's to-do list is already ticking, and one of the key items involves a potential trade for versatile utility man Brendan Donovan.
The Seattle Mariners, led by Jerry Dipoto, have been linked to Donovan for two offseasons now. Donovan, a Gold Glove winner, offers a versatile skill set with his plus offense and ability to play multiple positions. This makes him an attractive target for the Mariners, who are looking to bolster their lineup.
According to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, the Mariners have been in trade talks with the Cardinals about Donovan in each of the past two offseasons. Jude highlights that Donovan's versatility and All-Star status make him a prime candidate for the Mariners' lineup.
However, the Cardinals are not likely to part with Donovan easily. Bloom's asking price is reportedly high, and the Cardinals are motivated to move him. The Mariners have discussed tradeable prospects like Jurrangelo Cijntje and Lazaro Montes with the Cardinals, but Donovan remains a key target.
The deadline for a potential trade is approaching, with the start of spring training looming. Bloom has set an unofficial deadline, hoping to have his roster finalized by then. With Dipoto's comments suggesting a potential move is close and the soft deadline approaching, a trade for Donovan could be imminent, putting public pressure on the Cardinals to make a decision.
