Dodgers Rumors: Dodgers Interested in Brendan Donovan & Harrison Bader

2 minutes read

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 22: Brendan Donovan #33 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a seventh-inning RBI double against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 22, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MA—As we approach the final days before the 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been connected to several players throughout the league, according to multiple MLB insiders.

However, the most recent reports from Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic have linked Los Angeles to St. Louis Cardinals utilityman Brendan Donovan and Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader.

While addressing the team’s bullpen depth remains the primary focus for Andrew Friedman and Co., the Dodgers are also seeking upgrades for their outfield and bench.

While the team had hoped to hit the jackpot by inking former San Francisco Giants outfielder Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million deal this winter, the veteran has struggled in his lone season in Dodger Blue, hitting .186/.296/.323 with a 79 wRC+ in ninety games.

Bader, 31, has had his best offensive season in years following a one-year contract with Minnesota this past offseason. He has posted a solid .250/.332/435 slash line and 115 wRC+ across ninety-two games for the Twins this season, accounting for twelve home runs, nine stolen bases, and outstanding outfield defense.

Adding Bader would strengthen a weak spot in the Dodgers’ strong lineup. While the team is star-studded and overall offensively capable, their outfield is relatively average. Dodgers outfielders have a combined wRC+ of 102 this year (ranking 12th in the majors) with 3.3 fWAR (16th in the majors).

Incorporating Bader’s excellent defense and reliable bat would greatly help offset the offensive struggles faced by key players like Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, and Freddie Freeman at various points this season.

Donovan, 28, would be a much larger splash for the Dodgers as the 2025 National League All-Star is under team control until the 2028 season.

While the Cardinals are not likely to win the National League Central, they still remain in a great position to secure the final National League Wild Card spot, just 2.5 games back of the San Diego Padres.

However, despite this, the Cardinals are likely to trade off multiple players, such as Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz, drawing interest from other teams.

The interest from Los Angeles in Donovan is shocking, as he has primarily been the Cardinals’ second baseman since the injury/departure of Tommy Edman last deadline.

However, Donovan has played eighteen games in left field this season and a total of 186 in the outfield throughout his career.

While Donovan has experience in left field, the Dodgers could continue to plug him in at second base with Edman manning down third until Max Muncy returns.

So far this season, Donovan is likely to have a career-year hitting .293/.360/.428 with 24 doubles, nine home runs, and forty-two RBI. He’s on track to set career highs in batting average, slugging, doubles, and homers.

Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!