As the calendar turns to December 2025, the MLB offseason is entering its most aggressive phase. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, the mission remains perpetual: identify elite talent that fits their philosophy of positional versatility and offensive discipline. For the St. Louis Cardinals, the narrative has shifted dramatically. Under new President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom, the organization has finally committed to the necessary retooling that fans have anticipated for years.
This divergence in competitive timelines creates the ideal conditions for a blockbuster trade. The Dodgers have a surplus of near-ready talent blocked by superstars, while the Cardinals possess one of the league's most valuable trade chips in Brendan Donovan. After an All-Star campaign in 2025, Donovan’s value has never been higher, yet his timeline no longer perfectly aligns with a St. Louis club looking toward 2027 and beyond. It is time for the Dodgers to make the call.
The Ultimate Swiss Army Knife Brendan Donovan
Brendan Donovan is seemingly built in a laboratory for the Dodgers' front office. He possesses the specific traits the organization prioritizes above all else: elite plate discipline, high contact rates, and defensive flexibility. In an era where strikeouts are rampant, Donovan’s ability to grind out at-bats and generate on-base percentage makes him a perfect comprehensive solution for the Dodgers’ lineup.
The fit in Los Angeles is seamless. With the inevitable wear and tear on a 162-game roster, Donovan offers manager Dave Roberts a luxury few teams possess. He can start at second base, handle third base on rest days, or patrol left field, all while providing Gold Glove-caliber defense. His offensive profile—highlighted by his ability to control the strike zone and spray the ball to all fields—would lengthen a Dodgers lineup that sometimes becomes too reliant on the long ball.
Furthermore, Donovan’s contract situation is enticing. With two years of team control remaining before free agency, he is not a mere rental. He is a cost-controlled asset who provides surplus value, fitting perfectly into the Dodgers’ luxury tax calculus. Acquiring him now maximizes his window of contribution while the Dodgers’ championship window remains wide open.
The Perfect Trade Offer
Dodgers receive:
- 2B Brendan Donovan
Cardinals receive:
- C/OF Dalton Rushing
- LHP Justin Wrobleski
- LHP Ronan Kopp
Jumpstarting the Chaim Bloom Era
For St. Louis, moving a fan favorite and productive player like Donovan is a difficult pill to swallow, but it is the exact type of unsentimental, forward-thinking move Chaim Bloom was hired to execute. The return in this scenario addresses the Cardinals' most glaring long-term needs: legitimate offensive upside and power pitching depth.
The centerpiece of the deal, Dalton Rushing, is precisely the type of bat the Cardinals need to anchor their next core. While he is blocked in Los Angeles by Will Smith behind the plate and a crowded outfield picture, Rushing would immediately become one of the premier offensive prospects in the St. Louis system. His left-handed power stroke and ability to play both catcher and corner outfield offer the Cardinals options regarding the future of their own catching position, potentially allowing them to transition Willson Contreras to a full-time designated hitter or first base role sooner rather than later.
Beyond Rushing, the pitching return is substantial. Justin Wrobleski offers immediate rotation utility. He is a polished left-hander who can step into the Cardinals' pitching staff on day one, providing the controllable innings that St. Louis has desperately lacked. Adding a high-ceiling arm like Ronan Kopp completes the package. Kopp brings elite velocity and strikeout potential—exactly the kind of “stuff” the Cardinals have historically struggled to develop internally.
By accepting this package, the Cardinals trade two years of Donovan for six-plus years of a potential middle-of-the-order bat and two significant pitching pieces. It is a trade that hurts in the short term but sets the foundation for the next great Cardinals team. For the Dodgers, it is the final piece of a championship puzzle. It is the perfect trade.
