The New York Yankees are expected to be among the most active teams this winter, as expected. While they're likely going to be involved in the big-ticket free agents, they could also be active in the trade market.
A player like Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal would be the best pickups, but neither is likely to be traded. The same can't be said for a versatile Gold Glove All-Star who can play both the infield and the outfield.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Yankees are among four teams that are believed to be the best landing spots for St. Louis Cardinals All-Star infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan.
Yankees among top landing spots for Cardinals' All-Star Gold Glove infielder
"Infielder Brendan Donovan, who is arbitration-eligible for two more years, is also drawing a lot of interest and seems likely to be traded." Feinsand writes. "The Yankees, Dodgers, Royals, and Guardians are among the teams believed to be potential landing spots for Donovan."
Bringing in Donovan would be a huge boost to the Yankees' lineup and their defensive flexibility. He plays a combination of second base and the outfield, and adding him to the Yankees roster, he could wind up in an outfield spot or at second base if needed.
Jazz Chisholm has the second base spot locked up, but New York can always adjust where players line up to bring in a player like Donovan.
Donovan will be 29 at the start of the 2026 season and is coming off an All-Star season with the Cardinals.
He finished the year with 118 games played, 132 hits, 62 runs scored, 32 doubles, 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, 42 walks, only 67 strikeouts, and a.287 batting average with a.775 OPS.
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Back in 2022, he won the Gold Glove award as a rookie when he was playing an even combination of second base, third base, and in the outfield.
Regardless of where Aaron Boone and the Yankees put Donovan, his addition to the lineup and the defense would be an overwhelmingly positive one.
Add on the fact that he's under control through 2027, and the Yankees could have a cheap, talented, versatile player on the roster for the next two years.
A trade might not be cheap, but Donovan makes sense for the Yankees and would be a fun pickup for New York coming off a lackluster finish to the 2025 season.
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