The Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays just pulled off one of the more intriguing trades of the MLB offseason - a three-team deal centered around Brendan Donovan that sent five players and two draft picks flying across the league. It’s the kind of move that doesn’t just shuffle depth charts - it could shift trajectories for all three clubs involved.
Let’s break it down.
🚢 Seattle Mariners land Brendan Donovan
Grade: B
Seattle’s front office has been busy this winter, and this deal might end up being one of their most important. Brendan Donovan, a 29-year-old Swiss Army knife of a ballplayer, heads to the Pacific Northwest with a bat that plays and a glove that can go just about anywhere.
Donovan’s offensive profile is tailor-made for a team that struggled to string together consistent at-bats last season. He’s posted an OPS+ of at least 114 in every big-league season he’s played - and that’s not a fluke.
He doesn’t chase, he makes contact, and when he swings in the zone, he connects over 90% of the time. That’s elite-level bat-to-ball skill, and it’s backed by quality contact.
Line drives, hard-hit balls - it’s all there.
Now, T-Mobile Park is no picnic for left-handed hitters, and that’s something to keep an eye on. But Donovan’s skill set - particularly his ability to grind out at-bats and put the ball in play - should travel well, even in a pitcher’s park.
Defensively, Donovan gives the Mariners flexibility they’ll need. With Eugenio Suárez gone and Ben Williamson now part of this trade, third base is wide open.
Donovan could slot in there, but he’s also logged innings at second base and left field. That kind of versatility is gold, especially for a Mariners team that values matchup-based lineup construction.
And let’s not overlook the team control. Donovan is under contract through 2027, giving Seattle a high-floor, high-IQ player for several more seasons.
To get that, the Mariners had to part ways with some promising young talent - namely, switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and third baseman Ben Williamson - but this is a win-now move for a team that came within a whisker of a pennant last year. With another run in their sights, Donovan’s consistency and versatility could be the edge they need.
🟡 St. Louis Cardinals stockpile talent
Grade: A
If you’re a Cardinals fan, you have to feel good about this one. Brendan Donovan was a valuable piece, no doubt, but St.
Louis turned him into a trio of intriguing young players plus two compensatory draft picks. That’s a strong return for a team looking to reset its long-term pitching depth and athleticism.
Let’s start with the headliner: Jurrangelo Cijntje. He’s not just a novelty act - yes, he throws with both arms, but the real value lies in his right-handed stuff.
Cijntje’s righty fastball has life, and his breaking ball misses bats. He reached Double-A in his first full pro season, and while the numbers weren’t eye-popping, the tools are there.
If he commits fully to pitching right-handed, he’s got mid-rotation upside. That’s a big win for a Cardinals system that’s been aggressively adding arms - Cijntje joins a revamped group that includes Liam Doyle, Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, and more.
Tai Peete brings loud tools and big questions. The 20-year-old outfielder has power-speed potential - 19 home runs and 25 stolen bases in High-A last year - but contact remains an issue.
A 33% whiff rate is no joke, and unless he can cut that down, the upside may remain theoretical. Still, if he does figure it out, the Cardinals could have a dynamic outfield piece on their hands.
Colton Ledbetter, meanwhile, is closer to a finished product. The 24-year-old lefty hit .265 with seven homers and 37 steals in Double-A.
He’s a solid athlete with defensive versatility, but his bat has struggled against left-handed pitching. Realistically, he profiles as a fourth outfielder - but one who can contribute right away if needed.
And then there are the two compensatory draft picks, projected to land around Nos. 68 and 72. That gives St. Louis five picks in the top 72 of the 2026 Draft - a huge opportunity to continue replenishing the farm with impact talent.
For a team that needed to add depth and upside without spending big in free agency, this is a savvy, forward-thinking move.
🌴 Tampa Bay Rays take a shot on Ben Williamson
Grade: B
This is a classic Rays play - bet on the glove, and see if the bat can catch up.
Ben Williamson, 25, made his big-league debut last season and held his own defensively at third base. He’s a vacuum over there, with the kind of footwork and instincts that scream Gold Glove potential. The question - as it often is - is the bat.
Williamson hit .253 with a .294 OBP and just one home run in 85 games. His swing path doesn’t generate much loft, and he lacks the bat speed to do real damage. On top of that, his plate discipline is a little upside-down - he chases more than you’d like, and doesn’t do enough damage in the zone.
But for a team like Tampa Bay, which values defense and has a knack for maximizing player development, this is a worthwhile gamble. If they can unlock even a league-average bat, Williamson becomes a valuable asset. If not, he’s still a plus defender who can provide value off the bench.
The Bottom Line
This is one of those rare trades that makes sense for all sides.
- Seattle gets a high-impact, versatile bat to help power another postseason push.
- **St.
Louis** adds a mix of upside and depth, plus valuable draft capital to keep the pipeline flowing.
- Tampa Bay bets on an elite glove and trusts its development system to bring the bat along.
No clear losers here - just three teams playing to their identities and building toward their goals.