The Seattle Mariners have had a notably quiet offseason - and with key departures like Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suárez, that silence is starting to echo a little louder. The lineup has lost two major contributors, and so far, there hasn’t been a clear move to fill the offensive or defensive voids they left behind.
But there’s one name that could help change that: Brendan Donovan.
The St. Louis Cardinals’ All-Star utilityman has emerged as a potential trade target for Seattle, and it’s not hard to see why.
Donovan brings a rare blend of versatility, consistency, and affordability - all things the Mariners could use right now. With St.
Louis continuing to reshape its roster, Donovan’s name has been floated as a player who could be on the move, and Seattle feels like a natural fit.
Let’s break down the appeal.
Donovan isn’t going to lead the league in home runs, but what he does bring is a high-contact bat that knows how to get on base. Last season, he posted a .287/.353/.422 slash line with 32 doubles, 10 home runs, and 64 RBIs in 118 games. That kind of production - especially from a player who can slot in all over the infield - is exactly the kind of glue Seattle needs to keep the lineup competitive.
Defensively, Donovan would be a net gain. While Polanco brought offensive upside, his glove didn’t always match.
Donovan, on the other hand, has a Gold Glove to his name and has shown he can handle multiple positions with ease. Whether at second, third, or even in the outfield in a pinch, he gives the Mariners flexibility and reliability - two things that don’t always come in the same package.
And then there’s the financial side. Donovan recently signed a one-year, $5.8 million deal to avoid arbitration, and he still has a year of team control left after that.
For a small-to-mid-market team like Seattle that keeps a close eye on payroll, that’s a big plus. You're getting an All-Star-caliber player without the All-Star price tag, which opens up other options for the front office to continue building around the core.
Seattle doesn’t need to chase a blockbuster to stay in the hunt. What they need is smart, targeted moves that plug the right gaps - and Brendan Donovan checks a lot of boxes. He’s not a replacement for both Polanco and Suárez, but he could be a strong step toward reshaping the infield and keeping the team competitive in a tough AL West.
If the Mariners are serious about contending in 2026, now’s the time to act. Donovan’s value is clear, and if Seattle doesn’t make a move soon, another team just might beat them to it.