Padres could replace Luis Arráez with a trade for Cardinals utility star

With Luis Arráez almost certainly departing in free agency this winter, it is time for the San Diego Padres, and A.J. Preller in particular, to start looking into replacements for the 28-year-old, who has been one of the league’s best bat-to-ball hitters. One way he could approach this is by formulating a trade with another National League team that is set to undergo a complete roster overhaul.

The St. Louis Cardinals have stumbled across the finish line for three straight years, posting a 78–84 record in 2025 and missing out on the postseason for the third time in as many seasons. With multiple core players nearing the end of their contracts and the championship window coming to a close, president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom plans to get ahead of the inevitable.

Brendan Donovan checks Padres’ boxes as a practical Luis Arráez replacement

With a full-on exodus ahead in St. Louis, it would be wise for Preller to craft a trade package that would send first-time All-Star Brendan Donovan to San Diego.

Other notable Cardinals, aside from Donovan, who may be out the door include Lars Nootbaar, Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, and Sonny Gray, all of whose contracts are set to expire before the 2028 season (Gray’s future sits on a $30 million club option).

In 2025, Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs and a 119 wRC+. Similar to Arráez, he maintained an exceptionally low strikeout rate while also demonstrating the ability to spray the ball to different parts of the park.

The Padres would have Donovan under contract for two full seasons, as he is not set to hit free agency until the conclusion of the 2027 season.

He’s a much more feasible option; he presents the same traits and abilities, and he is the same age as Arráez. This should be a layup for the front office, and the only thing stopping them from making this a reality is the lack of prospects to give up.

Trading for Donovan would also give the team more financial flexibility at first base, where Pete Alonso and Josh Naylor are rumored to be at the top of Preller’s watchlist.

Who knows — maybe the Padres actually re-sign Ryan O’Hearn with the extra money available.

Trading for a second baseman still on a rookie contract would be much cheaper than paying $15 million per year, and it would open a new door of possibilities for Preller and the front office.