The Seattle Mariners have acquired infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade involving the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal, announced on Monday, sends prospects and draft picks to St. Louis while the Rays receive third baseman Ben Williamson. Donovan, a first-time All-Star in 2025, brings versatility and a strong bat to Seattle's lineup.
The trade bolsters the Mariners' roster as they aim to build on their 2025 AL West title and ALCS appearance. Seattle receives Donovan, a 29-year-old switch-hitter with a career slash line of .282/.361/.411 and a 119 OPS+ over four seasons. His defensive flexibility spans second base, third base, first base, shortstop, and outfield positions, including a Gold Glove at second base as a rookie in 2022. Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto praised the fit: “It’s tough to imagine a better fit for our current team than Brendan. His combination of offensive skill, defensive versatility, consistency in performance, baseball instincts and quality of character line up with what we value most.”
In return, the Cardinals acquire right-handed pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (Seattle's 2024 first-round pick, No. 15 overall), outfielder Tai Peete (2023 first-rounder, No. 30 overall), outfielder Colton Ledbetter from the Rays, and two Competitive Balance Round B draft picks for 2026 (Nos. 68 and 72 overall). The Rays receive Ben Williamson, who hit .253/.294/.310 in 85 games last season but excels defensively at third base. This move caps St. Louis' offseason rebuild under new president Chaim Bloom, following trades of Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Sonny Gray to stockpile young pitching and prospects.
Donovan agreed to a $5.8 million deal for 2026, avoiding arbitration, and remains under team control through 2027. He slots into a Mariners lineup featuring All-Stars Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, and recent signee Josh Naylor. Seattle parted with high-upside prospects but gains an immediate contributor amid losses like Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suárez. Negotiations had dragged since last season, but the deal aligns with Seattle's push for a complete 2026 roster.