Giants Called Best Trade Fit For Reported Red Sox Target
The San Francisco Giants played a key role in the Boston Red Sox’s 2025 season. San Francisco was the trade partner that CBO Craig Breslow ultimately worked with to execute a Rafael Devers departure.
Now, it appears the Giants are in view of the Red Sox again as the offseason picks up steam, but not as trade partners this time; rather, perhaps as competitors for the same All-Star.
Boston has been linked to St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan of late; as have other teams, including the Giants.
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly actually identified San Francisco as the “best trade fit” and top landing spot for Donovan.
“Chaim Bloom seems to be tearing things down to the studs in his first offseason as the president of baseball operations in St. Louis,” Kelly wrote. “With the aforementioned Gray and Contreras already traded, All-Star Brendan Donovan might be next up.”
“The Giants don’t desperately need to add a second baseman, but Donovan would be an improvement over Casey Schmitt. The other thing that makes Donovan such an intriguing trade candidate is that he has pretty extensive experience in left field, and can play pretty much every spot on the diamond,” Kelly continued. “So you could trade for Donovan with the thought that he will be your second baseman on Opening Day, while knowing he could shift to first base or left field if a need arises there.”
“Additionally, Donovan puts the ball in play pretty consistently, so he’s capable of hitting at just about any spot in the lineup, be it for Tony Vitello or anyone else.”
Donovan burst onto the MLB scene with the Cardinals in 2022, hitting .281 with a .394 on-base percentage over 126 games. His versatility across infield and outfield positions earned him a Gold Glove at second base and third place in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
An elbow injury limited him to 95 games in 2023, where he batted .284 and slugged 11 home runs. Donovan rebounded strongly in 2024, playing 153 games with a .278 average, 14 homers, and 73 RBI.
In 2025, despite appearing in only 118 games due to lingering issues culminating in offseason sports hernia surgery, he posted a .287 average, 10 home runs, and 50 RBI, earning his first All-Star selection. Standout moments included a four-double game against the Giants and key defensive plays.
Over four seasons, Donovan’s career .282 average and .361 OBP affirm his value as a consistent, multi-positional contributor.