What Would a Brendan Donovan Extension Look Like?

Reports surfaced early in the offseason that the Cardinals had approached Brendan Donovan about a possible extension. Well now I’m here to tell you that it’s happening. That’s right. I’m predicting a contract extension for Donovan down to the year, and the dollar. Hang on because I’m including options, front loaded money, and everything in between. So without further ado, grab your popcorn and let’s do this.

Let’s start out with the basics. He is 28 years old, and has 3 years of club control (including this year) left on his deal. He’s likely not going to command as high a paycheck as Jackson Merrill (a 9 year, $135 million dollar guarantee, $205 million in possible money with PA incentives, MVP incentives, and a club option for a 10th year) or Cal Raleigh (a 6 year, $105 million dollar guarantee, $123 million in possible money with a player option for a 7th year), but it won’t be any puny salary.

Considering that he’s 28 years old you would want the contract to be around 6 years in length (a little bit longer than what most are comfortable with). You would also want some incentives such as ASG appearances, RBI’s, and hits, a club option for the 7th year, and a healthy salary that the lefty can refuse, but is not gonna blow up in your face.

With Donovan, you are not very worried about him staying on the field. He’s had a couple of day-to-day nagging injuries, but nothing that has put him out for an entire 162. That’s why I’m comfortable paying him until he’s 35 years of age. I’m not worried that he’ll have a hangnail and be out for the season, or have a stiff neck and go on the 60 day IL. He’s a gamer, and also 2B is not the most injury prone position.

Now for the moment that you’ve been waiting for. The contract reveal is finally here. Here’s how the paperwork should go down year by year:

CONTRACT:

2026: $21 million

2027: $19 million

2028: $16 million

2029: $13 million

2030: $8.5 million

2031: $6.5 million

2032: Club option for $4.35 million

2033: Mutual option for $2.25 million

INCENTIVES:

ASG Appearances: $50k for every All-Star Game played

RBI’s: $100k for every season in which he has 80+ RBI’s

Hits: $100k for each season he reaches 150+ hits, 500k for each season he reaches 200+ hits

MVP: 750k for each season he earns MVP

BUYOUTS:

2032: Buyout = $500k

2033: Buyout = $250k

OTHER NOTES:

NTC (No trade clause): The contract includes a NTC to five teams of Donovan's choice

Signing Bonus: None. (Think of his 2025 salary as his signing bonus.)

Banned Activities: Skydiving, rock climbing, motorbiking, diving, tightrope walking, hiking on dangerous trails, pro boxing, pro football, arm wrestling, bungee jumping and other dangerous/risky activities.

Get out your checkbook John Mozeliak!