As the Seattle Mariners continue their offseason search for lineup reinforcements, one name that keeps surfacing is Brendan Donovan - and for good reason. The Cardinals’ versatile infielder brings a blend of defensive polish, offensive consistency, and postseason experience that would immediately elevate Seattle’s roster. He’s not just a plug-and-play second baseman; he’s an All-Star with a Gold Glove pedigree, and at just 26 years old, he’s still entering his prime.
But here’s the catch: Donovan won’t come cheap.
According to reports, the Cardinals are asking for a hefty return - likely two of an acquiring team’s top 10 prospects. That’s a significant ask, even for a Mariners organization with a deep farm system. And while Seattle has the assets to meet that price, the bigger question is whether President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto is willing to pay that premium for a player under club control for only two more seasons.
That’s the kind of decision that could shape a franchise’s trajectory - not just for 2026, but for years down the road.
JoJo Romero: A Sneaky-Important Piece in the Talks
While Donovan has been the headline name in these Seattle-St. Louis trade discussions, there’s another player quietly in the mix who could be just as impactful in the right context: left-handed reliever JoJo Romero.
It was a brief mention in a recent report, but it’s one that carries weight - the Mariners and Cardinals have reportedly discussed both Donovan and Romero in ongoing talks. And if Romero is part of the package, that could be a smart bit of roster-building for Seattle.
The Mariners’ bullpen was a strength for much of last season, but depth became a concern when the lights got brighter. Once you got past the high-leverage trio of Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash, and Gabe Speier, the options thinned out quickly. Romero could help change that.
The 29-year-old is coming off a breakout season, posting career bests across the board: 1.7 bWAR, 2.07 ERA, 200 ERA+, and 61 innings pitched. His 3.28 FIP suggests that performance wasn’t a fluke. He’s not a big strikeout artist - his game is more about inducing soft contact and keeping hitters off balance - but that’s exactly the kind of arm that can stabilize the middle innings and bridge the gap to the back end of the bullpen.
And when you look at Seattle’s current depth chart, Romero would likely represent an upgrade over names like Casey Legumina or Jackson Kowar. He’s more in the Caleb Ferguson mold - a reliable lefty who can handle high-leverage spots when needed, but is best used in middle relief to keep the game close.
A Smart Fit - But What’s the Plan?
Romero recently avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.26 million deal for 2026. He’ll hit free agency next winter, so this isn’t a long-term play - but it’s a move that makes a lot of sense for a team with World Series aspirations right now.
The Cardinals, having already moved on from big names like Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras, are clearly shifting into rebuild mode. That opens a window for teams like the Mariners to capitalize - and Seattle, coming off a near-miss in the postseason, should be in full “go for it” mode.
Adding Romero on his own might not move the needle much in terms of fan excitement - but as part of a larger deal for Donovan? That’s the kind of package that could help Seattle both in the lineup and in the bullpen. And if the Mariners are serious about making a deep October run, these are exactly the types of calculated, multi-layered moves that can push a contender over the top.
The opportunity is there. Now it’s up to Seattle to decide how far they’re willing to go to seize it.