“St. Louis Cardinals Enter New Era: Potential Multi-Year Pitches to Ace Pitcher Jack Flaherty”
Title: Cardinals Close to Multi-Year Deal with Utility Player Brendan Donovan
As the deadline for exchanging arbitration figures approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals are closing in on a multi-year deal with versatile utility player Brendan Donovan, according to MLB.com’s John Denton. The deal, which could potentially lock in Donovan’s salary for at least two of the three arbitration seasons, is expected to be announced today.
Donovan, a 28-year-old left-handed hitter, has established himself as one of the most valuable multi-positional players in the game, with a.280/.364/.407 career batting average and a reputation for being able to play multiple positions, including all four infield spots and both corner outfield positions.
In three seasons in the majors, Donovan has shown impressive defensive skills, with a 9.4% walk rate and a 13.7% strikeout rate. He is also one of the hardest hitters to strike out in the game, with a career low of 12.4 K%. His above-average wRC+ (wRC is weighted Runs Created plus) makes him an attractive player for the Cardinals.
However, it’s unclear whether the Cardinals will be able to secure any free agency seasons on a multi-year deal. Denton and Derek Gould of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch both noted that the Cardinals could handle a Donovan trade in a similar manner to their handling of Tommy Edelman last winter, by locking him in for the remainder of the arbitration season and gaining cost certainty without extending the window of existing club control.
Other arbitration-eligible Cardinals, including outfielders Lars Nootbar and left-handed pitcher John King, have also been making progress in their negotiations. Nootbar is expected to sign a one-year deal today, avoiding an arbitration hearing, while King’s situation is still being worked out.
FAQs:
* What is the deadline for exchanging arbitration figures?
The deadline for exchanging payroll information is today at noon (Central Time).
* Will the Cardinals and Donovan agree on a multi-year deal?
The two sides are closing in on a multi-year deal, but it’s unclear whether they will be able to come to an agreement before today’s deadline.
* What is Donovan’s current status?
Donovan is under club control until 2027 and is expected to earn $3.6MM in his first arbitration season, according to MLBTR writer Matt Swartz.
* How will the Cardinals handle Nootbar’s negotiations?
Nootbar is expected to sign a one-year deal today, avoiding an arbitration hearing.
Conclusion:
As the arbitration deadline approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals are making progress in their negotiations with Brendan Donovan and other arbitration-eligible players. With Donovan expected to earn $3.6MM in his first arbitration season and Nootbar likely to sign a one-year deal today, the team is working to finalize deals before today’s deadline. While it’s unclear whether the Cardinals will be able to secure any free agency seasons on a multi-year deal, they are making efforts to keep their players under contract and gain cost certainty for the remainder of the arbitration season.
