New York – The Yankees are reportedly eyeing a multiplayer package trade with Arizona for Eugenio Suarez and right-hander Zac Gallen. However, sources suggest they are exploring other alternative two-pronged deals to bolster their playoff push.
One of the Yankees’ option is a potential package trade with the St. Louis Cardinals centered around right-hander Erick Fedde and utility standout Brendan Donovan.
The pairing would help address two of the Yankees’ most pressing needs — pitching depth and versatile infield offense with third base coverage — without breaking the bank on top-tier prospects or long-term salary commitments.
Donovan brings elite infield flexibility with a bat
While pitching is a major concern, the Yankees also need lineup help following the DFA of DJ LeMahieu and continued inconsistency at third base. Donovan, 28, has emerged as one of the most valuable utility players in the National League.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer recently put Donovan on a list of “All Stars Who Could be on the Trade Block.”
A career .284 hitter, Donovan is slashing .297/.367/.430 in 2025 with above-average defense at second, third, and both corner outfield spots. His left-handed bat and strong OBP profile could help lengthen the Yankees’ righty-heavy lineup.
He is under team control through 2028 and remains one of St. Louis’ most consistent contributors. However, an unresolved arbitration dispute this past winter and the emergence of younger infielders have made him a potential trade candidate that Cardinals ready to part with and the Yankees willing to buy.
Fedde fits as stopgap starter for Yankees
With Gerrit Cole sidelined for the rest of 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, the Yankees’ rotation has been exposed. Spot starts, bullpen games, and inconsistencies from the back end have strained the staff.
Enter Erick Fedde. The 32‑year‑old right‑hander is under contract through this season and carrying a modest $7.5 million salary. He’s pitched to a 4.83 ERA this season but has shown flashes of stability in the Cardinals’ rotation and brings valuable experience. He pitched a complete shutout game against the Nationals this May.
“Fedde won’t break the bank, but he’s durable and throwing well. He fits a contender’s need for innings,” a National League executive told MLB.com earlier this month.
Given his expiring deal, Fedde is seen as a cost-effective rental who could immediately slot in as a No. 4 or 5 starter in the Yankees’ rotation.
Redbird Rants recently noted the Cardinals “should trade right‑hander Erick Fedde whether they’re buyers or sellers,” highlighting his expiring deal and suggesting St. Louis is keen to open a rotation spot for younger arms, such as Michael McGreevy.
Strategic two-fer boosting two needs
By targeting both Fedde and Donovan, the Yankees could address pitching and offense in one coordinated move. St. Louis is known to value versatility, but with Jonah Mozeliak’s desire to reset the roster gains momentum, both veterans could be up for grabs in separate or joint deals.
Though Donovan lacks a no‑trade clause, he is arbitration‑eligible and under team control through 2027. That means the Yankees may need to offer quality prospects with both players. However, an arbitration stalemate—Donovan and St. Louis were reportedly $450,000 apart—have already strained the relationship, the Cardinals are open to consider a trade.
A package deal involving MLB-ready talent plus a controllable bat and low‑cost compensation could land both pieces. That framework indicates New York could pursue a trade without overcommitting premium assets.
A St. Louis insider told ESPN that the Cardinals would consider moving “younger, controllable players like Donovan or Fedde if returns are right” — though they’ll weigh it against playoff positioning and roster outlook. For New York, acquiring them makes sense. The team needs innings and contact, and both players slide neatly into current gaps.
GM Cashman ready to act
A rival executive told The Athletic the Yankees are “one of the most aggressive buyers” likely to strike before July 31, thanks to their robust payroll and willingness to trade prospects for meaningful upgrades. The bullpen remains strong, but innings from Fedde and plate discipline from Donovan would provide a boost.
Though St. Louis currently hovers near the NL wild‑card chase, their roster is in flux. ESPN midseason grades view them as solid but not elite, highlighting Fedde’s rising ERA and Donovan’s on-field leadership as key to their core. However, the same report suggested “the more they win, the less likely they are to trade” either player—especially if Donovan keeps performing defensively and offensively.
But with ongoing arbitration drama and interest from other clubs, the Cardinals face decisions at the deadline.
What New York might give up
If the Yankees want to land both Donovan and Fedde in a single deal, it won’t come cheap — but it also wouldn’t require moving top-tier names like Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones.
Proposed deal: Yankees receive
- INF/UT Brendan Donovan
- RHP Erick Fedde
Cardinals receive:
- RHP Chase Hampton (Yankees’ No. 7 prospect, high strikeout arm)
- OF Everson Pereira (MLB-ready outfielder with power/speed upside)
- OF Trent Grisham (short-term MLB outfield depth and salary offset)
- RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (Yankees’ No. 6 prospect)
Why it works for both teams
The Yankees get a mid-rotation arm and a versatile everyday player without sacrificing elite prospects. The Cardinals acquire a top-100 caliber arm in Hampton, a controllable outfielder in Pereira, and a plug-in outfielder in Grisham. This allows St. Louis to retool while New York shores up its roster for October.
Fedde’s rental status lowers the acquisition cost slightly, but Donovan’s years of control drive the overall price. If New York is serious about upgrading both the lineup and the rotation, this structure could be a balanced solution.
For Yankees fans, the next ten days will reveal whether cashing in on Cardinals depth is feasible. If successful, New York could claim a mid‑rotation boost and a multi-positional utility player at once. That Jill-of-all-trades move aligns with their playoff aspirations.
The Yankees are preparing for multiple scenarios—and these two Cardinals could emerge as their potential targets. With the deadline approaching, expect dialogue to intensify in the coming days.
What do you think?
I think whether the Yankees do a deal with Pittsburgh, St. Louis, or Arizona I think everyone is going to be asking for very underrated prospect, still stuck in AA but belongs in AAA, C/1B Rafael Flores.