Playing "shop, listen to offers, or keep" on the St. Louis Cardinals' young bats

Which players should the Cardinals shop, listen to offers, or keep as they approach the deadline?

Jun 17, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Jordan Walker (18) and
Jun 17, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Jordan Walker (18) and | Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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Keep: Brendan Donovan

Brendan Donovan is no longer just a scrappy player who knows how to win. He still is that, but it's also time to respect him a legit difference maker for the Cardinals. Here are his numbers since 5/23.

.321/.410/.522, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 158 wRC+, 2.0 WAR

That is tied for the 13th-best WAR since that date, and he has the 9th-best wRC+ in baseball. Pair that with the ability to play six positions, and you have yourself an extremely valuable ball player.

Donovan has also been the Cardinals' most "clutch hitter" so far this year, proving that he comes through when the club needs him the most. He's under team control through the 2028 season, and it's no wonder why teams are so interested in hiim.

Sure, if some club comes in with an offer the Cardinals cannot refuse, he's techinically not untouchable. But other than that, the Cardinals have plenty of other assets worth shopping around.