Brendan Donovan linked to Yankees as team weighs cost and lineup fit originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Yankees need infield help. Brendan Donovan might be available. So MLB insider Jon Heyman’s report Friday that the All-Star utility man “would interest the Yankees, if he’s available,” makes a lot of sense.
On the surface, it’s a clean fit. Donovan is a high-contact, versatile left-handed bat with postseason experience. He’s hitting .296 with nine home runs and a .796 OPS for the Cardinals this season. He just made his first All-Star team. He walks more than he strikes out. He plays everywhere. And he’s under team control through 2027.
But how would he actually fit?
Jazz Chisholm Jr. isn’t going anywhere. He’s been one of the Yankees’ few bright spots over the past month and has second base locked down. That means Donovan would need to play third base or possibly left field. He’s capable of both, though he’s more reliable at second than anywhere else.
That said, Donovan’s glove is solid, and his bat would be a clear upgrade over what the Yankees are getting from the bottom half of their lineup. He brings a disciplined approach they’ve lacked all year. He’s posted a 12.4 percent strikeout rate and rarely chases pitches. In short, he puts the ball in play. For a team that leads the league in strikeouts since July 1, that matters.
The Cardinals haven’t made Donovan available publicly, but extension talks stalled over the winter. That, combined with their growing list of arbitration-eligible players, could push them to listen.
If they do, the Yankees will have to decide how much they value flexibility, plate discipline, and multiple years of club control. Donovan checks a lot of boxes. But he won’t come cheap.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.