The Seattle Mariners look poised to make another headline-grabbing move this offseason as they seek to build on a breakthrough 2025 campaign. Fresh off an American League West title and a postseason run that ended just one win shy of the World Series, Seattle has little interest in standing pat. Instead, the front office appears determined to reinforce an already strong roster, especially after a few key contributors have departed or may soon follow.
One of those losses has already come to pass, as Jorge Polanco left the organization via free agency. Another familiar name, Eugenio Suárez, could also be on his way out, leaving potential gaps in both production and versatility. Rather than relying solely on internal options, the Mariners are exploring external upgrades that could help them remain a legitimate championship contender.
Among the players firmly on Seattle’s radar is Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Donovan, an established All-Star with the ability to play multiple positions, fits seamlessly into the Mariners’ vision of flexibility, depth, and consistency. According to reporting from Katie Woo of The Athletic, conversations surrounding a potential deal have intensified, suggesting that momentum may be building toward a trade.
Seattle is reportedly viewed as the leading candidate to land Donovan, and discussions between the two clubs have already turned specific. St. Louis has expressed interest in two notable Mariners prospects: pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfielder Lazaro Montes. Both players are considered top-tier talents within Seattle’s farm system and rank among the organization’s top 10 prospects.
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Cijntje, in particular, stands out due to his rare ability to pitch with both arms, a unique skill set that has generated buzz throughout baseball. Montes, meanwhile, is viewed as a high-upside offensive prospect with the potential to become a middle-of-the-order force. From the Cardinals’ perspective, acquiring young, controllable talent aligns with their longer-term roster planning, especially as they evaluate how to retool around their next competitive core.
There is also an intriguing personal connection that could help facilitate a deal. St. Louis’ current director of pitching, Matt Pierpont, previously worked within the Mariners organization before departing ahead of the 2025 season. That shared history may provide both sides with added familiarity and trust as negotiations continue.
Ultimately, a trade between Seattle and St. Louis appears logical for both franchises. The Mariners would secure a proven All-Star capable of contributing immediately, while the Cardinals would add promising young pieces to bolster their future. As the offseason unfolds, this potential partnership is one to watch closely.
Insider Claims the Seattle Mariners Have the Trade Pieces to Land Brandan Donovan
The growing speculation connecting the Seattle Mariners to Brendan Donovan is no longer limited to a single reporter or outlet. Instead, it has begun to echo across multiple corners of the baseball media landscape, reinforcing the idea that Seattle’s interest in the versatile St. Louis infielder is both legitimate and increasingly serious. While earlier reporting suggested that the Mariners were monitoring Donovan’s availability, recent commentary from a respected former executive has added further credibility to the notion that Seattle could emerge as a strong trade partner if negotiations intensify.
During a December 15 appearance on Foul Territory, longtime MLB insider and former general manager Jim Bowden expanded on the situation, essentially validating earlier remarks from The Athletic and reinforcing the belief that Donovan would be an ideal acquisition for the Mariners. Bowden’s comments did more than simply repeat previous speculation; they framed the potential deal as a natural alignment between two organizations at very different stages of their competitive cycles.
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Bowden, who has extensive front-office experience and remains closely connected to league executives, did not mince words when discussing Donovan’s value. He highlighted the infielder’s defensive excellence, offensive consistency, and positional flexibility—traits that are especially prized by teams like Seattle, which prioritize run prevention, on-base skills, and roster versatility.
According to Bowden, Donovan’s résumé speaks for itself. He described the Cardinals infielder as a Gold Glove-caliber defender capable of handling multiple positions at a high level. Donovan’s ability to play second base, third base, and left field gives any acquiring team immediate lineup flexibility, a commodity that has become increasingly valuable in an era defined by injuries, platoons, and matchup-based roster construction. For a Mariners team that has dealt with inconsistency across the infield and corner outfield spots in recent seasons, such versatility could be transformative.
Beyond his defensive prowess, Bowden also emphasized Donovan’s offensive profile, particularly his strong on-base ability. With a career on-base percentage hovering around 35 percent, Donovan brings a skill set that aligns perfectly with Seattle’s offensive philosophy. The Mariners have consistently targeted hitters who control the strike zone, draw walks, and put pressure on opposing pitchers, especially in a home ballpark that suppresses power. Donovan’s patient approach and contact-oriented game would provide balance to a lineup that has often skewed toward all-or-nothing outcomes.
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Bowden went a step further by directly addressing the feasibility of a deal, suggesting that Seattle is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the Cardinals’ front office. He noted that the Mariners possess one of the deeper farm systems in baseball, stocked with young, controllable talent that could appeal to St. Louis as it transitions into a new organizational phase. That depth, Bowden implied, gives Seattle the flexibility to make a competitive offer without gutting its future.
At the center of those potential trade talks is Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, who is overseeing a franchise-wide recalibration in St. Louis. Bloom, known for his emphasis on player development, financial efficiency, and long-term sustainability, is reportedly open to moving established major leaguers in exchange for younger assets that better fit the Cardinals’ evolving timeline.
Bowden’s assessment suggested that Donovan may be one of the most attractive trade chips at Bloom’s disposal. While St. Louis is listening to offers on several veterans, Donovan stands out due to his age, contract status, and broad appeal across the league. At 28 years old, he is young enough to be part of a multi-year competitive window, yet established enough to command meaningful value in return. Teams view him as more than a role player; he is seen as a reliable everyday contributor who raises a roster’s floor.
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The Cardinals, according to league sources, are actively exploring the market for multiple veteran players as they pivot toward a retooling or partial rebuild. Among the names drawing interest are franchise cornerstone Nolan Arenado, veteran catcher Willson Contreras, and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero. Each player brings a different level of complexity to trade discussions, whether due to contract size, no-trade clauses, positional scarcity, or age-related considerations.
Arenado, for example, remains one of the game’s elite third basemen, but his sizable contract and full no-trade protection significantly narrow the pool of realistic suitors. Contreras, while productive offensively, plays a physically demanding position and carries questions about defensive fit for certain teams. Romero, though valuable as a bullpen arm, may not command the type of return that materially accelerates a rebuild.
Donovan, by contrast, occupies a sweet spot in the trade market. His affordability, versatility, and steady performance make him appealing to contenders and fringe contenders alike. For the Cardinals, that broad appeal could translate into leverage, allowing Bloom to solicit multiple strong offers and potentially extract a package centered on high-upside prospects or near-MLB-ready contributors.
Bowden suggested that Seattle could be especially motivated to act. Coming off a season in which the Mariners were competitive deep into the year, the front office appears intent on capitalizing on its current pitching core while addressing lingering offensive inconsistencies. The loss of infield stability and the need for improved on-base production have been recurring themes in Seattle’s roster construction discussions, and Donovan checks both boxes.
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Furthermore, Seattle’s organizational depth allows it to absorb the cost of such a trade. The Mariners have invested heavily in scouting and player development, resulting in a pipeline that includes pitchers, middle infielders, and athletic outfielders—exactly the types of assets that rebuilding teams covet. Bowden noted that this surplus creates natural trade matches, where Seattle can deal from strength without compromising its long-term outlook.
Importantly, Bowden framed the Donovan rumors not as idle speculation but as part of a broader web of offseason conversations unfolding across the league. He acknowledged that December is a time when front offices explore countless possibilities, many of which never come to fruition. Still, he hinted that the alignment between Seattle and St. Louis feels particularly logical, describing it as the kind of move that could materialize once other dominoes begin to fall.
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In that sense, Donovan represents more than just a potential acquisition; he symbolizes the Mariners’ broader approach to roster building. Rather than chasing marquee free agents or sacrificing flexibility for short-term gains, Seattle has consistently sought players who provide value in multiple dimensions. Donovan’s defense, plate discipline, and adaptability make him a quintessential fit for that model.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, moving Donovan would be a calculated risk, but one that aligns with Bloom’s long-term vision. By converting a valuable but non-irreplaceable veteran into multiple younger assets, St. Louis could accelerate its transition without committing to a full teardown. Donovan’s departure would undoubtedly leave a short-term gap, but it could also open opportunities for emerging players within the organization.
As the offseason progresses, the Donovan-to-Seattle connection is likely to remain a focal point of industry chatter. Whether it ultimately results in a completed trade will depend on a range of factors, including competing offers, the Cardinals’ comfort level with the return, and the Mariners’ willingness to part with specific prospects. Still, the growing chorus of voices linking the two sides suggests that this is more than a passing rumor.
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In an offseason defined by uncertainty, shifting priorities, and constant negotiation, Donovan’s name continues to surface as a player who could meaningfully alter the trajectory of both franchises involved. For Seattle, he represents a chance to strengthen a playoff-caliber roster with a proven, versatile contributor. For St. Louis, he offers an opportunity to leverage present value into future promise.
As Bowden implied, there are countless discussions happening behind closed doors across Major League Baseball. Yet among those conversations, the idea of Brendan Donovan in a Mariners uniform feels increasingly plausible—perhaps even inevitable—once the next major move sets the market in motion.
Donovan Ranks High Among MLB Second Basemen in Several Statistical Categories
Brendan Donovan has emerged as a popular trade target for the Seattle Mariners and several other clubs around the league, and it’s easy to see why. As both a Gold Glove winner and an All-Star, Donovan offers a rare blend of defensive excellence, versatility, and offensive production that few players can match. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes him especially attractive to teams looking to upgrade without sacrificing roster flexibility.
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While Donovan is best known as an infielder, his defensive value goes far beyond one position. During the 2025 season, he was selected to the National League All-Star team as an infielder after logging the majority of his playing time at second base.
He appeared in 100 games at the position, anchoring the middle of the infield with steady defense and strong instincts. However, Donovan also demonstrated his versatility by making 18 appearances in the outfield and six games at shortstop, underscoring his ability to fill multiple roles depending on team needs.
Advanced metrics further highlight Donovan’s impact. According to FanGraphs, he finished the 2025 campaign with a 6.0 WAR, the sixth-highest mark among all Major League second basemen. That total placed him on par with Jose Altuve and just a step behind Marcus Semien, putting Donovan firmly in elite company at the position.
Defense may be a cornerstone of Donovan’s value, but his bat is just as important. FanGraphs also ranked him as the fourth-best offensive second baseman in baseball in 2025, confirming that he contributes meaningfully on both sides of the ball. This complete skill set explains why Donovan is drawing widespread interest and why teams view him as a difference-making addition rather than a role player.
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