photo: Brendan Donovan (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Is the combination of Paul DeJong’s injuries and younger players’ solid play increasing the possibility of the St. Louis Cardinals trading their veteran shortstop? Perhaps Brendan Donovan as the reserve at the key position is part of the decision.
The now-concluded absence of St. Louis Cardinals starting shortstop Tommy Edman for the World Baseball Classic created a tailor-made opportunity for former starter Paul DeJong to receive regular playing time and refine his new leg kick-less swing.
However, DeJong has been unable to answer the bell more often than not, mostly missing out on his chances. In limited action this spring, DeJong is just 2-for-13, with a double and home run plus six walks. That has generated an odd line of .154/.421/.462/.883.
DeJong’s camp began with a dead arm that limited his throwing and the 29-year-old is now sidelined by a sore back that acts up when he bends over to field grounders.
Stepping into the gap was prospect Masyn Winn, who shined this spring while solidifying his role as the shortstop of the future, likely starting in 2024.
DeJong’s contract situation is well-known. Not unlike his long-time former partner on the left side of the infield, Matt Carpenter, DeJong is in the final year of a long-term contract that seemed a wise move at the time, but became a liability for the team as the infielder’s offensive production went into a multi-year tailspin.
DeJong first lost his job to Edmundo Sosa late in 2021 before regaining it to open the 2022 season. An early slump that had him dead last in MLB in offense led to his banishment to Triple-A. By midseason, he seemed ready to return, but with Sosa out of minor league options, the youngster was dealt to the Phillies.
The arrival of Nolan Gorman and especially the emergence of Brendan Donovan created new options for second base that freed up Edman to take over every-day duties at short as DeJong returned to his struggling ways offensively .
Interestingly, upon his arrival with St. Louis in 2019, Edman was initially viewed as not being an option at short. In fact, in Edman’s 92-game rookie season, then-manager Mike Shildt deployed him at five different positions defensively, but the former minor league shortstop did not play even one inning at his primary position!
By 2021, the switch-hitting Edman began to prove himself at the position and the rest is history.
I bring this up because I am wondering if Donovan could evolve from not being considered shortstop material to becoming the top reserve at short in 2023, displacing DeJong.
A side benefit would be to free up more at-bats for Gorman at second base while keeping in mind that the outfield will have one excess starter if Jordan Walker makes the team. That would put more pressure on the designated hitter position, thought previously to be a way to help keep Donovan and Gorman in the lineup more often.
This came into focus for me on Thursday morning when Donovan was placed in the leadoff spot in Oliver Marmol’s lineup while playing short.
(lineup card, h/t Lynn Worthy, Post-Dispatch)
One should not read much into a single lineup card, yet I am intrigued by the variables in play.
There is no word that DeJong’s latest ailment will sideline him to start the season, yet Opening Day is just two weeks away. Further, there are those who would like to see the Cardinals trade DeJong and his contract as soon as possible.
Could the future come sooner than we previously thought?
It is not unheard of, as we saw not long ago when the team dispatched another fading veteran in the final year of a large contract. In February 2021, the Cards sent outfielder Dexter Fowler to the Angels along with a lot more money than it would take to move DeJong now.
Is a key part of this Donovan being auditioned to become the primary backup at short?
It is neither his primary position, nor does he have extensive experience there. But the 2022 Gold Glove Award winner as a utility player also isn’t completely new to the spot.
Donovan did not play at short in his first two seasons in the minors, 2018 and 2019. In 2021, he was a true utilityman, appearing between 11 and 31 games at five different positions at three minor league levels. That included 11 outings at short. He also took the field at short in seven games during his 2022 rookie year with St. Louis.
Losing depth that may be needed over the 162-game season is always a concern when trading veterans away, but the Cardinals no longer have the flexibility to send DeJong back to Memphis if necessary (other than as an injury rehabber).
Even more importantly, Winn’s showing may have also eased an earlier-than-expected DeJong decision. The positive impression the 20-year-old has made this spring has potentially accelerated his time schedule, making him a more viable option to be called up from Memphis in 2023 if an in-season middle infield replacement is needed.
I don’t know if the Cards will trade DeJong as they did Fowler, or hold onto him until the very end, as they did with Carpenter. I don’t know if he will open the season on the injured list, buying more time to decide his near-term future.
But I will be closely watching Donovan’s usage and defensive performance the next two weeks for indications.
Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation
Now available – 2023 Prospect Guide
The Cardinal Nation 2023 Prospect Guide is back for its sixth year. It includes a record 292 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of new scouting reports and much more.
https://thecardinalnation.com/order-tcns-2023-cardinals-prospect-guide/
Not yet a member?
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.
Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com or for fastest turnaround, pose your questions on The Cardinal Nation’s members-only forum. Follow Brian on Twitter.
© 2023 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.