The Seattle Mariners are finalizing a trade to acquire infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan in a three-team deal involving the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays. This significant transaction comes just ahead of the spring training season, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.com.
Donovan, 29, has been a notable target for the Mariners throughout the offseason. He enjoyed a strong performance last year, being named an All-Star while batting .287 with 10 home runs, 32 doubles, and 50 runs batted in (RBI) over 118 games. With a career on-base percentage of .361, he emerges as a potential lead-off candidate for Seattle, complementing talents like Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, and Josh Naylor.
Primarily playing as a second baseman, Donovan has also demonstrated versatility by taking on various positions including shortstop, third base, left field, right field, and first base during his tenure with the Cardinals. His acquisition is particularly timely for the Mariners as they navigate the loss of Jorge Polanco, who signed with the New York Mets earlier in free agency.
Donovan is set to earn $5.8 million this year, marking his second year of salary arbitration. He remains under club control through 2027 before entering free agency, which positions him as a valuable asset for the Mariners moving forward.
In exchange for Donovan, the Mariners will send switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfielder Tai Peete to the Cardinals, along with third baseman Ben Williamson to the Rays. Both Cijntje and Peete are former first-round draft picks, while Williamson was selected in the second round, underscoring the potential talent being traded.
The Mariners are looking to bolster their roster as they aim for a competitive season. The addition of Donovan not only addresses immediate needs but also enhances the team’s depth and flexibility on the field.
As the Mariners finalize this exciting trade, the organization and its fans remain hopeful for a successful season ahead. With Donovan’s skill set and performance track record, the Mariners are poised to make significant strides in the upcoming games.
