Mariners Rumors Heat Up: Brendan Donovan Makes Sense, but Lars Nootbaar? Not So Much
Here we are in January 2026, and somehow we’re back in familiar territory - the Mariners being linked to Lars Nootbaar. Again.
Only this time, it’s not just social media smoke or offseason filler. This one got a little more real when Ken Rosenthal mentioned on Foul Territory that he could see a scenario where the Cardinals package Nootbaar with Brendan Donovan, with Seattle as a potential landing spot.
Now, when Rosenthal talks, people listen. He’s as connected as they come.
But let’s be honest - “I could see it” isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement. It’s more of a “this might make sense if you squint hard enough,” not a full-throated prediction.
And if this is what a bold Mariners offseason move looks like, it’s hard not to feel like we’ve been here before - and not in a good way.
The Nootbaar Fit: A Familiar Frustration
Let’s rewind for a second. The only reason Lars Nootbaar ever felt like a potential fix for Seattle in the past was because the Mariners’ outfield was, frankly, a revolving door of question marks.
Julio Rodríguez was the anchor, but the rest? It was a carousel of inconsistency - Mitch Haniger, Jarred Kelenic, Jesse Winker, Kyle Lewis, Taylor Trammell.
It was the era of “just give us one more competent bat.”
Back then, a left-handed hitter like Nootbaar - someone who could get on base, play solid defense, bring energy - felt like a step in the right direction.
But that was then. This is 2026.
And if Seattle is still circling back to Nootbaar, that’s not a step forward - it’s a step sideways at best. At worst, it’s a sign the front office is still shopping in the “good enough” aisle instead of going after real difference-makers.
Mariners fans have been more than patient. They’ve watched the team flirt with contention, only to fall short because the lineup lacked serious thump.
They’re not asking for perfection. They’re asking for impact.
And Nootbaar, for all his hustle and charm, just isn’t that guy.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Let’s talk production. In 2025, Nootbaar slashed .234/.325/.361 with a 96 wRC+ and 0.8 WAR, per FanGraphs.
That’s not a lineup-changer. That’s a depth piece.
Even in 2024, when he was better - 12 home runs, .244 average - he wasn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard.
That’s not to say he’s not a useful player. He is.
But Seattle doesn’t need “useful.” It needs a bat that forces opposing pitchers to game plan.
A presence in the middle of the order. A guy who makes you say, “That’s the move that gets us over the hump.”
Nootbaar isn’t that.
And here’s the kicker: the Mariners already have a version of Nootbaar on the roster. His name’s Luke Raley.
Raley, another left-handed bat with defensive versatility and some pop, gave the Mariners a 129 wRC+ and 3.2 WAR in 2024. That’s not just comparable - it’s better.
So if the idea is to bring in Nootbaar to do what Raley’s already doing (and doing well), what’s the point? You’re not filling a hole.
You’re creating redundancy.
Brendan Donovan Is a Different Story
Now, if the conversation shifts to Brendan Donovan, that’s a different tone entirely. Donovan is the kind of player who moves the needle.
He’s versatile, yes, but more importantly, he’s productive. He fits the mold of a postseason-caliber roster piece - someone who can plug into multiple spots, get on base, and raise the floor of your offense.
That’s the kind of move that says, “We’re serious about contending.” That’s the kind of move Mariners fans can get behind.
But if the price of Donovan is taking on Nootbaar too, the front office has to ask itself: are we adding value or just adding names? Because if this is about making a headline without making a real upgrade, it’s going to fall flat. Again.
Seattle Needs More Than “Pretty Good”
This isn’t a knock on Nootbaar the player. In the right situation, he can help a team win.
He’s a spark plug, a guy who brings energy and effort every night. But Seattle doesn’t need more “pretty good.”
It doesn’t need another “if healthy” or “versatile” piece.
It needs a bat that changes the game. A player who commands attention. A move that signals the Mariners are done nibbling around the edges and ready to go all in.
So sure, keep the lines open with St. Louis.
Keep talking Donovan. But if Nootbaar is the headline, not the footnote, it’s hard to see how that moves Seattle any closer to October baseball.
Let’s not do this again.