The Seattle Mariners spent much of the winter circling the same question: where would the next reliable bat come from? President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto made it clear that help was coming via trade, and on Monday, that long-anticipated move finally took shape as Seattle moved closer to acquiring utility man Brendan Donovan in a three-team deal with the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays.
According to reports, the framework of the deal sends Donovan to Seattle, and that switch pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfield prospect Tai Peete are headed to St. Louis. Infielder Ben Williamson is bound for Tampa Bay, and the Rays have also sent a competitive balance B draft pick and outfield prospect Colton Ledbetter to the Cardinals. It is a multi-layered transaction that reflects different priorities for each organization.
Why Brendan Donovan Fits Mariners Immediate Needs
Donovan’s availability felt inevitable once the Cardinals leaned fully into a rebuild. Over 515 plate appearances, he produced a .287/.353/.422 slash line, collecting 10 home runs and 32 doubles while consistently reaching base. For a Mariners lineup that has often struggled to string together quality at-bats, that on-base skill set is particularly valuable.
Beyond the bat, Brendan Donovan brings defensive flexibility that few players can match. While he has spent most of his time at second base and left field, he has logged innings at every infield position and in right field. That versatility gives Seattle options as it reshapes its roster following the departures of Eugenio Suárez and Jorge Polanco, and it allows the club to absorb injuries or performance dips without dramatic lineup disruptions.
The Prospect Cost Heading to St. Louis
Seattle is not acquiring Donovan without consequence. Cijntje, ranked as the organization’s seventh-best prospect by MLB.com, is one of the more unique pitching prospects in baseball. From the right side, he features a plus fastball that can approach triple digits, complemented by a slider and a fading changeup. From the left, he relies on a sweeper and a low-90s fastball, giving evaluators a rare developmental profile.
Peete, ranked 11th in the system, offers loud tools. He possesses impressive raw power, plus speed, and defensive versatility, with most projecting him as a future center fielder. While questions linger about his hit tool, his athletic upside makes him a meaningful piece for a rebuilding Cardinals club.
Is Brendan Donovan Enough for a Serious World Series Push?
Colton Ledbetter, also heading to St. Louis, adds further depth to the Cardinals’ return. Though not ranked among Tampa Bay’s top 30 prospects, he brings raw power and the ability to cover all three outfield spots, even if his swing path raises concerns against high fastballs.
For Seattle, the central question remains unanswered. Donovan is a strong addition who improves depth, balance, and lineup flexibility, but he is not a middle-of-the-order force. With Julio Rodríguez still lacking a true power-running mate and the offense missing multiple departed contributors, this move feels more like a starting point than a conclusion.
If the Mariners are serious about reaching the World Series for the first time in franchise history, Donovan cannot be the final offensive addition. He strengthens the foundation, but more firepower will be required to complete the structure.
