St. Louis Cardinals trade Brendan Donovan

The St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays have completed a three-team trade. The Cardinals are sending second baseman/leftfielder Brendan Donovan to the Mariners. The Mariners are sending starting pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, outfielder Tai Peete, and a competitive balance round B draft pick (no.68 overall) to the Cardinals. The Rays are sending outfielder Colton Ledbetter, and a competitive balance round B draft pick (no.72 overall) to the Cardinals. The Mariners are sending third baseman Ben Williamson to the Rays. 

Donovan, 29, hit .287 with 64 runs, 132 hits, 32 doubles, 10 home runs, 50 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 42 walks in 2025. Donovan also was an All-Star for the 1st time in his career in 2025. 

Donovan won a Gold Glove Award in 2022. 

Donovan had his best season in 2024. That season, Donovan hit .278 with 65 runs, 163 hits, 34 doubles, 3 triples, 14 home runs, 73 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and 47 walks. The runs hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI's, and walks were all career highs for Donovan. The stolen bases tied a career high from 2024 for Donovan. 

Overall, Donovan has played 4 MLB seasons. Donovan has played 492 games with 241 runs, 498 hits, 97 doubles, 5 triples, 40 home runs, 202 RBI's, 15 stolen bases, 182 walks, and a .282 batting average. 

Cijntje, 22, was 5-7 with a 3.99 ERA, 26 games, 23 starts, 108.1 innings, 120 strikeouts, 51 walks, and a whip of 1.22 combined between High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas in 2025. 

Cijntje is a switch-pitcher (can throw both left-handed and right-handed). 

Cijntje ranked as the Mariners' 7th-best prospect. 

Overall, Cijntje has played 1 minor league season.

Peete, 20, hit .217 with 58 runs, 103 hits, 24 doubles, 19 home runs, 63 RBI's, 25 stolen bases, and 46 walks with High-A Everett in 2025. The home runs were career highs for Peete. 

Peete had his best season in 2024, with Single-A Modesto. That season, Peete hit .269 with 72 runs, 126 hits, 26 doubles, 9 triples, 7 home runs, 71 RBI's, 45 stolen bases, and 55 walks. The runs, hits, doubles, triples, RBI's, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for Peete.

Peete ranked as the Mariners' 11th-best prospect. 

Overall, Peete has played 3 minor league seasons. Peete has played 265 games with 141 runs, 257 hits, 54 doubles, 14 triples, 28 home runs, 154 RBI's, 76 stolen bases, 111 walks, and a .247 batting average.

Ledbetter, 24, hit .265 with 67 runs, 123 hits, 24 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 49 RBI's, 37 stolen bases, and 51 walks with Double-A Montgomery in 2025. The runs, hits, doubles, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for Ledbetter. 

In 2024, with High-A Bowling Green, Ledbetter had career highs in triples (6), home runs (16), and RBI's (65).

Ledbetter ranked as the Rays' 24th-best prospect. 

Overall, Ledbetter has played 3 minor league seasons. Ledbetter has played 253 games with 142 runs, 251 hits, 53 doubles, 10 triples, 25 home runs, 126 RBI's, 74 stolen bases, 99 walks, and a .269 batting average. 

 

Williamson, 25, hit .253 with 36 runs, 70 hits, 13 doubles, 1 home run, 21 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and 15 walks in 2025. Willamson made his MLB debut on April 15, 2025, at Great American Ball Park against the Cincinnati Reds.

Overall, Williamson has played 1 MLB season.

The Cardinals get a pretty good haul of prospects in return for Donovan. Cijntje could end up either as a starting pitcher or reliever. The Cardinals also now have 6 draft picks in this year's MLB draft in the top 100. 

It's good to see Donovan join a team that is ready to win. Donovan should be a good addition for the Mariners lineup.  

St. Louis Blues re-sign Logan Mailloux

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed defenseman Logan Mailloux to a one-year contract extension, worth $850,000. Mailloux, 22, currently has played 31 games with 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, and a -21 in 2025-2026. The games are a career high for Mailloux. 

Mailloux had his best season in 2024-2025, with the Montreal Canadiens. That season, Mailloux played 7 games with 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, and -5. 

Overall, Mailloux is currently in his 3rd NHL season. Mailloux has played 39 games with 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, and -25.

St. Louis Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded third baseman Nolan Arenado, and $31 million to the Arizona Diamondbacks for starting pitcher Jack Martinez. Arenado, 34, hit .237 with 48 runs, 95 hits, 18 doubles, 1 triple, 12 home runs, 52 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 28 walks in 2025. 

Arenado has been an All-Star 8 times: (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023). Arenado has won the Gold Glove Award 10 times: (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022). Arenado has won the Silver Slugger Award 5 times: (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022). Arenado has led the NL in home runs 3 times: (2015, 2016, and 2018). Arenado has also led the NL in RBI's 2 times: (2015 and 2016). 

Arenado had his best season in 2015, with the Colorado Rockies. That season, Arenado hit .287 with 97 runs, 177 hits, 43 doubles, 4 triples, 42 home runs, 130 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 34 walks. The doubles and home runs were both career highs for Arenado. 

In 2016, Arenado had career highs in both runs (116) and RBI's (133). 

Arenado had career highs in both hits (187) and triples (7) in 2017.

In 2018, Arenado had a career high (73) walks. 

Arenado had a career high (5) stolen bases in 2022. 

Overall, Arenado has played 13 MLB seasons. Arenado has played 1,787 games with 992 runs, 1,921 hits, 405 doubles, 34 triples, 353 home runs, 1,184 RBI's, 31 stolen bases, 577 walks, and a .282 batting average. 

Martinez, 22, was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 8th round (243rd overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Arizona State University. Martinez was 6-4 with a 5.94 ERA, 15 games, 15 starts, 77.1 innings, 110 strikeouts, and 33 walks in 2025. The starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Martinez. 

Overall, Martinez has played 4 college seasons. Martinez is 20-8 with a 4.76 ERA, 75 games, 28 starts, 2 saves, 223.1 innings, 287 strikeouts, and 122 walks. 

Martinez can reach 97 miles per hour with his fastball and also had a solid changeup. Martinez also throws a slider (low-80's) and a curve. 

The Diamondbacks get a future Hall of Famer in Arenado. The Cardinals are able to get rid of Arenado's contract, while getting something in return. The Cardinals weren't going to get much of anything bigger for Arenado because he seems to be on the decline. Arenado had a no-trade clause, too, so he controlled which teams he'd approve a trade to. Arenado hasn't been good the last couple of seasons. Arenado also seems to have lost his power. 

In Martinez, the Cardinals get a pitcher who has potential to be a starting pitcher or a reliever. Martinez seems to get strikeouts, too. Will Martinez develop into something bigger? No one knows. But he's an interesting pitcher who could have upside. It's nice to see the Cardinals are getting lots of pitching depth this offseason. 

St. Louis Cardinals sign Ryne Stanek

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RHP Ryne Stanek to a one-year contract, worth $3.5 million. The contract includes a team option for 2027, worth $6 million. Stanek, 34, was 4-6 with a 5.30 ERA, 65 games, 11 holds, 3 saves, 56 innings, 58 strikeouts, 32 walks, and a whip of 1.57 with the New York Mets in 2025.

Stanek had his best season in 2021, with the Houston Astros. That season, Stanek was 3-5 with a 3.42 ERA, 72 games, 21 holds, 2 saves, 68.1 innings, 83 strikeouts, 37 walks, and a whip of 1.21. The games and holds were both career highs for Stanek.

In 2018, with the Tampa Bay Rays, Stanek had a career high (29) starts. 

Stanek had career highs in innings (77) and strikeouts (89) in 2019, combined between the Rays and Miami Marlins.

In 2022, Stanek helped the Astros win the World Series. 

Stanek had career highs in both wins (7) and saves (7) in 2024, combined between the Seattle Mariners and Mets.

Overall, Stanek has played 9 MLB seasons. Stanek is 21-23 with a 3.85 ERA, 466 games, 56 starts, 89 holds, 14 saves, 458.1 innings, 531 strikeouts, 232 walks, and a whip of 1.32.

Stanek could be a good addition for the Cardinals' bullpen if they can help him get back on track. Stanek hasn't been good the past couple of seasons. Stanek can reach 98.5 miles per hour with his fastball. Stanek also had a good slider, which had a 45% whiff in 2025.

The Cardinals have had success in the last two seasons with similar relievers (RHP Andrew Kittredge and RHP Phil Maton).

Stanek is reunited with Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. Bloom drafted Stanek in the 1st round (29th overall) in the June 2013 MLB Draft.

St. Louis Blues Extend Philip Broberg

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed defenseman Philip Broberg to a six-year contract extension, worth $48 million. Broberg, 24, currently has played 45 games with 2 goals, 12 assists, and 14 points in 2025-2026.

Broberg had his best season in 2024-2025. That season, Broberg played 68 games with 8 goals, 21 assists, 29 points, and a plus 21. The games, goals, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Broberg. 

Overall, Broberg is currently in his 5th NHL season. Broberg has played 194 games with 12 goals, 44 assists, 56 points, and a plus 16. In the playoffs, Broberg has played 27 games with 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points, and a plus 20. 

Broberg would have been a restricted free agent after the season. It's great to see the Blues sign Broberg to long-term contract. 

Do the Blues re-sign center Dylan Holloway to a long-term contract next? Holloway can be a restricted free agent after the season. 

St. Louis Blues re-sign Alexey Toropchenko

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed right wing Alexey Toropchenko to a two-year contract extension, worth $5 million. Toropchenko, 26, currently has played 27 games with 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, and a -5 in 2025-2026. 

Toropchenko had his best season in 2023-2024. That season, Toropchenko played 82 games with 14 goals, 7 assists, 21 points, and a -3. The games, goals, and points were all career highs for Toropchenko. 

In 2024-2025, Toropchenko had a career high (14) assists. 

Overall, Toropchenko is currently in his 5th NHL season. Toropchenko has played 286 games with 32 goals, 33 assists, 65 points, and -12. In the playoffs, Toropchenko has played 19 games with 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points, and a plus 9. 

Toropchenko would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2026. 

Toropchenko has developed into a solid fourth-line player for the Blues. 

St. Louis Cardinals trade Willson Contreras

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded first baseman Willson Contreras, and $8 million (which will cover part of the $41.5 million Contreras is still owed) to the Boston Red Sox for starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins, starting pitcher Yhoiker Fajardo, and starting pitcher Blake Aita. Contreras, 33, hit .257 with 70 runs, 126 hits, 31 doubles, 1 triple, 20 home runs, 80 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and 44 walks in 2025. The runs, hits, doubles, and RBI's were all career highs for Contreras. 

Contreras has been an All-Star 3 times: (2018, 2019, and 2022). In 2016, Contreras helped the Chicago Cubs win the World Series. 

Contreras had a career high (5) triples in 2018.

In 2019, Contreras had a career high (24) home runs. 

Contreras has a career high (6) stolen bases in 2023. 

Overall, Contreras has played 10 MLB seasons. Contreras has played 1,078 games with 954 hits, 208 doubles, 11 triples, 172 home runs, 548 RBI's, 37 stolen bases, 419 walks, and a .258 batting average.

Dobbins, 26, was 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA, 13 games, 11 starts, 61 innings, 45 strikeouts, 17 walks, and a whip of 1.28 in 2025. Dobbins made his MLB debut on April 6, 2025, at Fenway Park against the Cardinals. 

Fajardo, 19, was 1-4 with a 2.25 ERA, 19 games, 17 starts, 72 innings, 83 strikeouts, 27 walks, and a whip of 1.10 combined between the Florida Complex League (Rooke ball) and Single-A Salem in 2025.

Fajardo ranked was the Red Sox 23rd best prospect. Fajardo can reach 96 miles per hour with his two-seam fastball and 97 with his four-seamer.

 Overall, Fajardo has played 2 minor league seasons. Fajardo is 2-8 with a 2.93 ERA, 32 games, 30 starts, 122.2 innings, 147 strikeouts, 35 walks, and a whip of 1.13.

Aita, 22, was 5-7 with a 3.98 ERA, 23 games, 19 starts, 115.1 innings, 99 strikeouts, 30 walks, and a whip of 1.05 combined between Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville in 2025. 

Aita can reach 92-95 miles per hour with his fastball.

Overall, it was Aita's 1st minor league season.

On paper the trade seems like it's good for both sides. The Cardinals add more pitching. Yes, the Cardinals lose one of their best offensive bats in Contreras, but you win with pitching. Do the Cardinals have a plan to try to make the offense better in 2026? What move will the Cardinals make next? It seems like Chaim Bloom is doing more of what was needed for the Cardinals current rebuild. 

Contreras is also reunited with former Cardinals teammate, starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Contreras and Gray will return to Busch Stadium in 2026 on April 10th-12th.