Brendan Donovan Close To Being Acquired By Seattle Mariners
According to multiple reports dropping late Monday, including word from ESPN’s Jeff Passan and The Athletic, the Mariners are finalizing a massive three-team trade that will bring St. Louis Cardinals utility extraordinaire Brendan Donovan to the Pacific Northwest. The deal also involves the Tampa Bay Rays, who are reportedly acquiring Mariners prospect Ben Williamson, though the full return for St. Louis remains the mystery of the hour.
For Seattle, this isn’t just a trade; it’s a statement. After watching Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suarez walk out the door, the front office has been under pressure to find a bat that actually fits the difficult hitting environment of T-Mobile Park. In Donovan, they might have found the perfect puzzle piece.
Why Brendan Donovan Fits the Mariners Blueprint
Let’s be honest about the Mariners’ recent history: they swing and miss a bunch. The “Control the Zone” philosophy hasn’t always translated to the field, with the team often ranking near the top of the league in strikeouts. Enter Donovan.
The 29-year-old German-born infielder is practically the antithesis of the “three true outcomes” slugger. He puts the bat on the ball. In 2025, Donovan slashed a sturdy .287/.353/.422. He isn’t going to hit 40 home runs, but he is going to grind out at-bats, spray the ball into the gaps, and actually move runners over.
He’s coming off a year where he racked up 32 doubles, including a historic game against the Giants where he tied an MLB record by hitting four doubles in a single contest. That is exactly the kind of gap-to-gap profile that plays well in Seattle, where the heavy marine air loves to knock down high-flying fly balls that would be homers in Cincinnati or New York.
A Swiss Army Knife For Manager Dan Wilson
The other thing that makes Donovan such a juicy acquisition is his glove. Or, more accurately, his gloves. The guy is a manager’s dream. In his rookie season back in 2022, he snagged the first-ever National League Utility Gold Glove Award. He has played everywhere. We’re talking first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and both corner outfield spots. The only things he hasn’t done are pitch and catch.
With the departure of Suarez, Donovan slots in immediately as a potential everyday third baseman, but his versatility allows Manager Dan Wilson to get creative with the lineup. If Josh Naylor needs a DH day, Donovan can slide to first. If they want to play matchups in the outfield, Donovan can grab a glove and head to left.
The St. Louis Fire Sale Continues
On the flip side of this deal, you have to feel for the folks in St. Louis. The Cardinals are clearly in the midst of a full-blown teardown. This offseason has already seen them ship off Nolan Arenado to Arizona and Sonny Gray to Boston. Losing Brendan Donovan is arguably the emotional dagger.
Donovan was a homegrown talent, a 7th-round pick who grinded his way to the majors and became a fan favorite because of his hustle and dirt-dog mentality. He was one of the few bright spots in a weird transition era for the Redbirds.
However, St. Louis is clearly looking at the long game. By moving a 29-year-old with team control, they are likely stocking the farm system. While the exact return hasn’t leaked yet, you have to imagine the Cardinals are getting a significant haul of prospects to justify moving a guy who was essentially the glue of their lineup.
What This Means For the American League West
This move signals that Seattle isn’t content with just having a historically great pitching rotation. They know they wasted a dominant staff last year with anemic offense. Adding Donovan doesn’t suddenly turn the Mariners into the ‘27 Yankees, but it raises the floor of their lineup significantly. He brings a professional approach, playoff experience, and a level of consistency that Seattle has been desperate for.
