New Dodgers trade target could shake up infield, end Michael Conforto's time in LA

The Cardinals are still trying to trade Nolan Arenado, who made it abundantly clear during the offseason that if he was going to be traded, he'd prefer to be traded to his hometown Dodgers. The list of teams he'd waive his no-trade clause for is more or less the same now as it was in the offseason (though it does curiously now include the Astros, who he blocked a trade to previously), and no doubt the Dodgers are still at the top of his list.

According to Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo of the Athletic, the Dodgers are indeed eyeing a Cardinals infielder, but it's not Arenado. Instead, they're expressing interest in second baseman Brendan Donovan. They're also looking at a more straightforward outfield replacement in the Twins' Harrison Bader, but Donovan is the far more enticing option.

The draw is clear. He's batting close to .300 in 97 games and was the Cardinals' lone All-Star representative a few weeks ago. He's not much help in the way of defense, but when have the Dodgers really cared about that?

There are a couple of wrinkles, though. Donovan's spent some time in left field throughout his career but has abundantly more experience in the infield. If the Dodgers are looking at him as a potential replacement for Michael Conforto, how would they accommodate a shuffle? And, more importantly, who would they be willing to give up for Donovan?

Dodgers reportedly interested in Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, who won't come cheap, as a creative Michael Conforto solution

The Dodgers love Tommy Edman for a lot of reasons, but the most useful one in this scenario is that he can play almost anywhere. He's played mostly second base this season, with occasional trips to center field and, since Max Muncy went down, third base this season. If the Dodgers trade for Donovan, a shuffle could put Edman in center field almost entirely (after Muncy returns), move Andy Pages to a corner, and install Donovan at second. Bye, bye, Conforto.

The question of what they would have to give up is tougher to answer. Ardaya notes that Donovan's price would be "steep," as he's under team control through 2027, and the Dodgers are "reluctant" to deal either Dalton Rushing or No. 3 prospect Alex Freeland.

The Dodgers still have enticing prospects all over the pipeline to offer, but if St. Louis demanded one of Rushing or Freeland or no deal, it would give LA some pause. It's a little uncharacteristic for the Dodgers to keep such a white-knuckle grip on their top prospects, but just because they're reluctant doesn't mean they won't consider it.