Brendan Donovan Confident in Cardinals’ Future Without Nolan Arenado

As the St. Louis Cardinals enter a new chapter, the potential departure of Nolan Arenado has been a major talking point. With a full no-trade clause in his contract, the Cardinals face the challenge of finding a destination for the 10-time Gold Glove third baseman that he is willing to accept. If Arenado is indeed traded, the Cardinals will be without his elite defensive skills at third base. However, utility man Brendan Donovan is confident that the team will be fine moving forward, even without the future Hall of Famer manning the hot corner.

In a recent interview, Donovan spoke highly of Nolan Gorman, a potential replacement for Arenado at third base. Gorman, a lefty slugger, struggled in 2024 and spent time with Triple-A Memphis. Despite this, Donovan believes Gorman is poised for a strong 2025 season. “Gorman looks great and he’s excited,” Donovan said, adding that he would not be surprised if Gorman has a breakout year. The young power hitter has tremendous potential but has struggled with plate discipline, ranking 43rd in strikeouts during 2024. His career stats include a .222 batting average, 60 home runs, and a .736 OPS.

Donovan, who is a close friend of Gorman, is optimistic that with the help of the Cardinals’ new hitting coach, Brant Brown, Gorman can take his game to the next level. With the pressure of a potential rebuild, Gorman may have the opportunity to relax and showcase his immense talent.

While the Cardinals will undoubtedly miss Arenado’s glove and leadership, Brendan Donovan’s words suggest the team has the right players in place to navigate the future without him. The arrival of Gorman, coupled with the expertise of their new coaching staff, could ensure that the Cardinals remain competitive in the coming seasons.