He has quickly emerged as one of the most coveted names on the MLB trade market. The All-Star second baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals is drawing significant attention around the league, and some insiders believe that more than half of all teams could at least explore the possibility of trying to acquire him this offseason. His versatility, consistent production at the plate, and defensive reliability make him an especially attractive target for clubs looking to strengthen their infield without committing to a long-term free-agent contract.
With that many potential suitors in the mix, one might assume that the loss of interest from one or two teams would hardly make a difference. After all, if dozens of front offices are willing to pick up the phone and open discussions, the Cardinals should, in theory, still be in a very strong negotiating position. St. Louis, under the guidance of Chaim Bloom, could play multiple teams against each other in order to drive up Donovan’s value and maximize the return in any deal.
However, not all interested clubs carry the same weight. Some organizations are simply exploring options, while others are far more aggressive in their pursuit of upgrades and are willing to part with premium prospects or major-league talent to get what they want. When one of those highly motivated teams exits the race, the impact can be more significant than it might initially appear. Even in a crowded market, losing a serious and determined bidder can slightly weaken the leverage held by the selling team.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, that scenario may have just unfolded. The Seattle Mariners, who are coming off the best season in franchise history, have taken care of a major roster need by bringing back star first baseman Josh Naylor on a five-year contract. By locking up Naylor, Seattle has solidified its plans at first base, effectively removing itself from the market for a player like Donovan, who could have been an appealing fit for their lineup and overall roster construction.
Seattle had been seen as one of the more logical and aggressive potential trade partners for St. Louis. The Mariners have both the motivation to contend and the prospect depth to pull off a meaningful deal. Their removal from the mix doesn’t eliminate Donovan’s strong market entirely, but it does narrow the field in a noticeable way. Losing a high-profile, proactive suitor could influence how negotiations develop and how much leverage Bloom truly has when engaging with other interested teams.
Even so, Donovan remains an extremely desirable asset. Other clubs still have clear needs in the middle infield and could view him as the missing piece to make a postseason push. As the offseason progresses and more dominoes fall across the league, it’s likely that additional teams will step forward with serious offers. While Seattle’s exit may be a minor setback for St. Louis in terms of leverage, it is far from a deal-breaker.
In the end, Donovan’s value, performance, and positional flexibility will continue to keep him near the top of many teams’ wish lists. The Cardinals may have lost one strong dance partner, but there are still plenty of others lined up on the trade floor.
Mariners likely out of Brendan Donovan market, though Cardinals won’t be lacking for trade options
The Seattle Mariners find themselves in a rather delicate position as the offseason unfolds, particularly in regard to their second base situation. With Jorge Polanco, a Silver Slugger finalist, expected to depart soon, the hole at the keystone is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
While that reality places considerable pressure on the organization to act, Seattle should not be dismissed from the competition for infield upgrades just yet. This is a front office led by Jerry Dipoto, a general manager widely known for his creativity, aggressiveness, and comfort with making bold, unexpected trades. Given his track record, it would be unwise to assume that the Mariners will quietly bow out of the market without exploring every possible solution.
Even so, financial factors cannot be overlooked. If Josh Naylor’s contract indeed approaches or surpasses the projected $20 million annual range that some insiders believe he will command in free agency, Seattle would be inching perilously close to its record-setting payroll of $166 million, a figure established in 2025. That amount already pushed the higher limits of what the franchise has historically spent, and it remains unclear whether ownership would be eager—or even willing—to climb higher.
On the surface, absorbing Brendan Donovan’s anticipated $5.4 million salary for the upcoming season may not appear especially restrictive. That figure alone would not dramatically alter the club’s financial flexibility.
The real concern lies in the required return package. To acquire Donovan, the Mariners would almost certainly have to part with cost-controlled, young talent—players who are inexpensive now and could form the core of the team in future seasons. While Seattle may be willing to add another modest contract, sacrificing long-term assets while carrying increased payroll obligations could create problems for the organization down the road. From a long-term team-building perspective, it may simply be an unsustainable approach.
There is another alternative the Mariners may seriously consider: trusting their internal options. Cole Young, once regarded as one of the organization’s top prospects, remains a compelling option at second base. If Seattle feels confident that Young is ready to handle everyday duties at the major league level, they could install him at the keystone and pay him a pre-arbitration salary.
That move would free up valuable financial resources to address needs elsewhere—possibly adding pitching depth, a corner infielder, or additional outfield insurance depending on how the rest of the offseason unfolds. It would also underscore a commitment to player development rather than relying solely on outside acquisitions.
No matter how Seattle ultimately approaches Donovan’s market, one thing is clear: the Cardinals will not struggle to attract interest. Brendan Donovan is precisely the type of player many teams covet. He is coming off a standout season in which he posted a 119 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), an impressive mark that reflects his well-above-average offensive production compared to the rest of the league.
He also made his first career All-Star team, a milestone that serves as both recognition and validation of his growing reputation. Over the full season, Donovan compiled a .287 batting average, a .353 on-base percentage, and a .422 slugging percentage—numbers that highlight his ability to consistently reach base and contribute to run production without relying solely on power.
What makes Donovan even more appealing is not just his offensive profile, but his versatility and defensive value. In 2022, he earned the National League’s Gold Glove Award for utility players, showcasing his ability to move seamlessly between multiple positions while maintaining high-level defensive performance.
This flexibility allows managers to plug him in across the infield—and even into the outfield in certain situations—offering a level of roster versatility that is extremely valuable in the modern game. Few players possess the combination of defensive reliability, positional flexibility, and steady offensive output that Donovan brings to the table.
In addition, Donovan has demonstrated signs of an even higher ceiling at the plate. During the first half of the 2025 season, he recorded a 125 wRC+, indicating that his offensive contributions can climb significantly above his already impressive baseline. That upside only strengthens his appeal to teams looking for a reliable leadoff hitter or a consistent presence at the top of the batting order. Players who can set the tone for an offense while remaining defensively sound are among the most highly valued commodities in Major League Baseball.
Interestingly, there are several teams whose needs for offensive improvement are more severe than Seattle’s. The Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals, for example, find themselves in desperate need of a spark at the plate. Both teams have struggled to generate consistent run production, and neither currently boasts a true, reliable leadoff hitter capable of setting the table for the rest of the lineup.
For organizations in that situation, Donovan is more than just a helpful piece—he is a potential catalyst for change. As a result, they may be far more aggressive in pursuing his services than the Mariners, whose lineup, while flawed, does not face quite as severe an offensive drought.
Another significant factor driving Donovan’s trade value is his contract situation. He remains under team control for two more seasons through the arbitration process. That means his next team will have the advantage of securing a high-quality, productive player without immediately needing to hand out a massive long-term extension. In an era where payroll efficiency and financial planning are crucial to sustained success, that type of control is incredibly valuable. For the Cardinals, this also means that they are positioned to demand a strong return—likely consisting of multiple quality players or high-potential prospects.
Whether Jerry Dipoto chooses to enter a bidding war or ultimately step away from the negotiations, St. Louis remains in a favorable position. With multiple teams interested and Donovan’s skill set fitting a wide variety of roster needs, the Cardinals will almost certainly walk away from any deal with a substantial haul of talent. Even if the Mariners decide that the price—in both dollars and prospects—is too steep, other suitors waiting in the wings will ensure that Donovan’s market remains strong and competitive.
In the end, this situation highlights the familiar balancing act faced by front offices around the league: the tension between making bold, win-now moves and preserving long-term sustainability. Seattle must decide whether Donovan is worth the financial strain and the loss of young talent, or whether they are better served by betting on internal development and fiscal restraint. Meanwhile, the Cardinals can afford to be patient, knowing that their versatile All-Star utility man is one of the most appealing pieces available this offseason, and that the demand for his services is not likely to diminish anytime soon.
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