The Brendan Donovan-to-Yankees rumors are officially over-and they ended with a twist. The versatile former Cardinal is heading west, but not to the Bronx.
Instead, he’s joining the Seattle Mariners in a three-team deal that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays. And when you look at the return St.
Louis got, it’s clear why the Yankees bowed out. The price tag was steep-and for New York, unnecessary.
Let’s break it down.
Seattle gets Donovan, a do-it-all utility man with a Gold Glove and a contact-first bat. St.
Louis, meanwhile, picks up a package headlined by Jurrangelo Cijntje, a top-100 prospect who recently committed full-time to pitching right-handed. Alongside him are outfielder Tai Peete, another high-upside talent with power-speed potential, and Colton Ledbetter, a solid outfield prospect coming from Tampa Bay.
The Cardinals also snag a Comp B draft pick. Tampa walks away with infield prospect Ben Williamson.
So where do the Yankees fit into this? Well, they don’t-and that’s probably for the best.
New York had been linked to Donovan going back to last summer’s trade deadline. His name came up again early in the offseason, especially when the Yankees were still sorting through their outfield and infield depth. But once the Mariners’ offer became public, it was obvious the Yankees weren’t going to match it-and, frankly, didn’t need to.
Let’s put the trade into Yankee terms. Swapping in comparable prospects from New York’s system, the Cardinals would’ve been asking for something like Dax Kilby (MLB Pipeline’s No.
94), Spencer Jones (a top-10 Yankees prospect with real upside), and maybe Eric Reyzelman or another mid-tier arm. Oh, and toss in two draft picks.
That’s a serious haul for a player who, while valuable, doesn’t fill a glaring need on the current Yankees roster.
Donovan’s calling card is his versatility. He can play second base, left field, and a handful of other spots.
He’s a left-handed bat with a .775 OPS last season and a reputation for putting the ball in play. But that profile overlaps with some of what the Yankees already have-and some of what they’ve already added this offseason.
Take Cody Bellinger, for example. While not a one-to-one comp, Bellinger’s return to the Bronx essentially erased any need for Donovan in the outfield.
And on the infield side, New York already has Amed Rosario, who quietly had a solid season with a .745 OPS and the ability to move around the diamond. Rosario’s a righty-something this lefty-heavy lineup needed-and he’s making just $2.5 million this year.
Donovan’s projected salary is higher, and acquiring him would’ve meant giving up multiple top-tier assets.
Donovan is the better player between the two, no doubt. But is he that much better to justify the cost in prospects and salary? Probably not.
There’s also the roster construction angle. The Yankees don’t need another left-handed bat clogging up the lineup.
They need balance. They need a right-handed outfield bat who can handle velocity and give them competitive at-bats late in games.
Donovan doesn’t check that box.
And remember those Jazz Chisholm Jr. rumors that flared up at the same time? That scenario would’ve required some serious roster gymnastics to make work-possibly involving moving Jazz to the outfield full-time or shifting Donovan into a role that didn’t maximize his value. In the end, it would’ve been more trouble than it was worth.
The Mariners, on the other hand, had both the need and the prospect capital to make this deal make sense. Donovan fits beautifully into their lineup and gives them flexibility all over the field.
For Seattle, this was a calculated swing. For the Yankees, it would’ve been a luxury buy at a premium price.
So, while the Yankees were once in on Brendan Donovan, they’re better off having passed. He’s a quality player, no doubt.
But New York’s needs lie elsewhere. They’ve already addressed some key areas this offseason, and now they can focus on what’s still missing-like a right-handed bat who can lengthen the lineup and give them a different look against tough lefties.
Donovan would’ve been a nice-to-have. But for the Yankees, this offseason is about must-haves.