Yankees looking at Cardinals’ Donovan, Burleson Yankees as potential trade targets

Thursday November 9, 2023

The Yankees are considering the names of Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson as potential trade options, according to a report by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. These two players are part of a group of Cardinals’ hitters with team control who might be subjects of trade speculation during the offseason.

Donovan for the Yankees

Donovan stands out as the more well-known and attractive option for the Yankees. Throughout his two seasons in the major leagues, he has maintained a .283/.381/.398 batting line. He exhibits an impressive 11.1% walk rate and manages to strike out at a reasonable 14.7% rate. While Donovan may not possess immense power, having hit 16 home runs in 839 career plate appearances, he is recognized for his skill as a solid contact hitter.

He also offers versatility in terms of positions for the Yankees when he’s in good health. As a rookie, he received the National League Gold Glove award for utility players. He also played significant roles at second base, third base, and both corner outfield positions. In the early part of 2023, he primarily played at second base, left field, or first base. Unfortunately, a forearm strain limited his throwing ability. This led to his role as a designated hitter in the middle of the summer. With the Cardinals facing difficulties and trading away players at the trade deadline, Donovan decided to end his season and undergo surgery to repair a flexor tendon.

Reports link Yankees to Cardinals' Brendan-Donovan — X-@MLBONFOX

Other teams might have concerns about Donovan’s health, given his injury history. However, there are still many positive aspects to his game. He’s close to reaching arbitration eligibility and has five years of control remaining. He’s an impressive hitter who can either fill a regular role at second base or adapt to various positions on the field as required.

The Yankees already have second base covered with Gleyber Torres, and although they might consider trading him before his last arbitration-controlled season, Oswald Peraza is also a viable option. Donovan’s strong hitting from the left side of the plate could help balance the predominantly right-handed power hitters in the Yankee lineup. General manager Brian Cashman mentioned the team’s preference for adding balance to the lineup, preferably by acquiring outfielders who fit that description. Donovan could be an option to play in left field.

Burleson for the Yankees

Burleson primarily plays as a corner outfielder. In his first significant season in the majors, he had some challenges, with a .244 batting average, a .300 on-base percentage, and a .390 slugging percentage in 347 plate appearances. While he had a low strikeout rate of 13%, he didn’t draw many walks and didn’t display significant power. Unfortunately, his season ended in September due to a fractured left thumb, which required surgery, and he is currently in the process of recovery.

Although Alec Burleson’s performance in 2023 didn’t fully reflect his potential, his minor-league stats tell a different story. He boasts a solid track record in the minors, hitting .306 with a .356 on-base percentage and a .486 slugging percentage over 641 Triple-A plate appearances. However, there is some risk involved, as he hasn’t proven himself against MLB pitching yet. This might make him a more practical trade option for the St. Louis team as they seek to rebuild. As a result, the asking price for Burleson is likely to be more reasonable than for Donovan.

Alec Burleson faces some challenges in securing immediate playing time on a team that already has talented outfielders like Tyler O’Neill, Dylan Carlson, Jordan Walker, and Lars Nootbaar. The Cardinals might opt to keep him in the minor leagues if they don’t receive a trade offer that suits them. Alternatively, they could explore the possibility of trading one of their more seasoned outfielders. In fact, Dylan Carlson was rumored to be a target for the Yankees before the trade deadline.

It’s important to note that there is no indication of the Yankees and Cardinals making progress on a trade at this time. St. Louis has previously been known to set high asking prices for players like Donovan during trade discussions. The Yankees are actively exploring various options as they seek to bolster their outfield. This situation highlights the potential opportunities for St. Louis’ President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak, and his front office.

The Cardinals have revealed their intent to acquire three starting pitchers during the offseason. While they may sign some through free agency, it’s doubtful they will address all their needs that way. St. Louis’ President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak, indicated that the team is open to trading a hitter in exchange for pitching prospects ready for the big leagues or in the upper minors, as reported by John Denton of MLB.com.

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