The New York Yankees may seem set in their middle infield. But there’s always room to upgrade depth.
So with that in mind, MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand linked the Yankees to Gold Glove infielder Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, since he is likely to be traded this off-season.
Donovan, who will turn 29 on Jan. 16, is reportedly on the block since he is under team control for two more seasons before becoming a free agent after the 2027 season. The Cardinals went 78-84 and finished in fourth place in the NL Central and are trying to reload.
Brendan Donovan Is An All-Star Who Can Play Second Base or Shortstop
The Yankees have a Gold Glove shortstop in Anthony Volpe, but he is not due back from shoulder surgery until at least May. New York seems leery about handing the shortstop reins to Jose Caballero every day, and No. 1 prospect George Lombard Jr. is likely about two years from joining the Yankees on a full-time basis.
So Donovan could be a potential upgrade from Volpe, especially since he bats left-handed which neither Volpe nor Caballero do. Donovan has a career .812 OPS against right-handed pitching and hit eight of his 10 home runs against RHPs with an .853 OPS in 2025.
But according to Feinsand, the Yankees aren’t alone in their bidding for Donovan.
“Brendon Donovan, who is arbitration-eligible for two more years, is also drawing a lot of interest and seems likely to be traded,” Feinsand reported. “The Yankees, Dodgers, Royals and Guardians are among the teams believed to be potential landing spots for Donovan.”
ESPN’s Jeff Passan linked the Cleveland Guardians specifically to Donovan, which could inspire the Yankees to get more involved. New York has met Cleveland in the postseason in three of the past six seasons, and the Yankees have eliminated the Guardians in each series.
The Yankees could also deploy Donovan at second base if they are unable to lock down incumbent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to a long-term contract.
The Yankees Are Seeking Starting Pitching Help Too
The Yanks’ rotation is easily their strongest suit, especially with a top-four of Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Cam Schlittler and Luis Gil, plus ace Gerrit Cole and budding star-caliber righty Clarke Schmidt likely to come back in the second half of 2026.
But New York is eyeing more stability in its starting rotation in 2026, according to Feinsand, and he spelled out why.
“Although the five top names on the free-agent market are all hitters, there is depth in the starting pitching market despite the lack of true No. 1 starters,” Feinsand reported. “That depth will draw a lot of attention all winter, as all 30 teams will be in position to upgrade their respective pitching staffs for 2026 and beyond.”
Fried and Rodon, both lefties, finished Nos. 4 and 6 in American League Cy Young Award voting, and righty Will Warren finished eighth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Cole won the Cy Young in 2024 and Gil was the AL ROY that year too.
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