The Seattle Mariners traded for All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, as announced by the teams, acquiring the adaptable left-handed hitter in a three-team deal that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays.
This transaction—reported to be one of several three-team trade options the Cardinals were evaluating for Donovan—saw Seattle sending right-handed starter Jurrangelo Cijntje (No. 95 on ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel’s top 100 prospect list) to St. Louis. The Mariners also dealt third baseman Ben Williamson to the Rays.
In return, the Cardinals received a couple of prospects: center fielder Tai Peete (from Seattle) and outfielder Colton Ledbetter (from Tampa Bay), along with two competitive balance Round B picks.
Donovan, 29, attracted considerable trade interest as the Cardinals undertook a roster overhaul during the offseason. New president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom had previously traded key players such as Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras to Boston, along with Nolan Arenado to Arizona. yet, Donovan was viewed as the player generating the most attention for the Cardinals.
“We’re thrilled that this trade allows us to add five promising young players to our talent pipeline, which has consistently fueled our organization’s success,” Bloom stated in a press release. “We believe we’ve brought in exciting athleticism and potential on both sides of the game, with even more to come in this summer’s draft.”
“We are all deeply grateful for Brendan’s contributions to the Cardinals and our community, which will resonate long after his departure. He exemplifies the qualities of a first-class player and person, which is a rare combination. We wish him and his wonderful family the best.”
Seattle, which narrowly missed its first World Series appearance last season, aimed to resolve uncertainties at second and third base this offseason. With Donovan—who has frequently played second and third base, as well as left and right field, shortstop, and first base—the Mariners now have a range of options as they head into this season.
“It’s hard to envision a better match for our current team than Brendan,” said Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto in a news release. “His blend of offensive talent, defensive versatility, consistent performance, baseball instincts, and character aligns perfectly with what we value most.”
Donovan is expected to hit near the top of the Mariners’ lineup, one of the most formidable in baseball. With exceptional bat-to-ball skills—Donovan recorded a strikeout rate of just 13% last season, ranking 14th among 145 qualified hitters for the batting title—and solid on-base capabilities, his left-handed swing fits seamlessly within a batting order that features AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh, center fielder Julio Rodríguez, first baseman Josh Naylor, left fielder Randy Arozarena, and shortstop J.P. Crawford.
Seattle might promote infielder Colt Emerson, regarded as one of the best hitting prospects in baseball, to fill another infield position or could choose Cole Young or Leo Rivas at second base while using Donovan full-time at third.
“Brendan brings a unique combination of elite top-of-the-order attributes and versatility, making him an ideal addition to our roster,” Mariners general manager Justin Hollander remarked. “We are excited to welcome him to Seattle.”
The Cardinals had contemplated signing Donovan, who is eligible for free agency after the 2027 season, to a long-term deal instead of trading him, but the two sides never came close to an agreement, sources revealed. The trade brings the Cardinals’ projected Opening Day payroll below $100 million, a mark they’ve surpassed each year since 2010. This season, they may spend nearly as much on paying the contracts of traded players as they do on their major league roster.
With the start of spring training on the horizon, the Cardinals entered the week looking for a resolution regarding Donovan. though other proposals were discussed, none were as appealing to the Cardinals as the trade that netted Cijntje, who was the 15th pick in the 2024 draft and previously pitched both right-handed and left-handed.
Cijntje, 22, had shown significantly better performance when throwing right-handed. Over the winter, he stopped switch-pitching and focused solely on right-handed pitching. With a fastball consistently in the mid-90s peaking at 99, a slider that generates swing-and-miss opportunities, and a developing changeup that could become his most effective secondary pitch, Cijntje will begin the season in the high minor leagues and may reach St. Louis by the end of the year.
The Cardinals are preparing for a transitional season after experiencing their second sub-.500 record in three years, marking their first stretch of struggles of this nature since 1997 to 1999. Monday’s trade represents their largest return this winter, setting the stage for JJ Wetherholt—one of baseball’s top prospects—to eventually take over at second base and team up with Masyn Winn for one of the best young infield duos in the game.
Williamson, 25, made his debut last season, two years post his selection by the Mariners in the second round from William and Mary. While his defense at third is considered above average, he posted a batting line of .253/.294/.310 over 295 plate appearances. After acquiring Eugenio Suárez at the trade deadline, Williamson was sent to Triple-A, where he fared much better, hitting .314/.392/.462 in 240 plate appearances.
