The Seattle Mariners are finalizing a trade to acquire infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team deal that also involves the Tampa Bay Rays. This news was confirmed by sources to FOX 13 Seattle, with the initial report coming from Jeff Passan of ESPN. Donovan, who is 29 years old, has been a target for the Mariners throughout the offseason and the deal is expected to be completed just before the start of spring training.
Donovan has a solid track record as a four-year starter with the Cardinals. He recently earned an All-Star selection after a productive season, where he batted .287 with 10 home runs, 32 doubles, and 50 RBIs across 118 games. His impressive on-base percentage of .361 positions him as a potential lead-off hitter for the Mariners, complementing talents like Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, and Josh Naylor.
Versatile Player to Fill Key Role
Primarily known as a second baseman, Donovan is also capable of playing multiple positions, including shortstop, third base, left field, right field, and first base. His versatility will be particularly valuable for the Mariners as they seek to address the loss of Jorge Polanco, who recently signed with the New York Mets.
In terms of financials, Donovan is set to earn $5.8 million during his second year of salary arbitration. He is under team control through 2027, after which he will become a free agent. This contract structure gives the Mariners flexibility in their roster composition.
As part of this trade, the Mariners are sending switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfielder Tai Peete to the Cardinals, while Ben Williamson will join the Rays. Cijntje and Peete are former first-round draft picks, with Williamson having been selected in the second round. The full details of the trade were first reported by Adam Jude and Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times.
The Mariners are looking to solidify their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season. With thousands of fans expected to attend the Mariners Fanfest at T-Mobile Park, the acquisition of Donovan has generated excitement and optimism about the team’s prospects for the year ahead.
In summary, the Mariners’ acquisition of Brendan Donovan marks a significant move in their offseason strategy. His proven capabilities and versatility can help fill gaps on the roster while enhancing the team’s overall performance as they aim for success in the upcoming Major League Baseball season.
