As the Cardinals begin to reshape their roster under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, one name keeps surfacing in trade conversations - Brendan Donovan. The versatile infielder/outfielder has become one of the most sought-after players on the St.
Louis roster, and for good reason. Teams are circling, and the Seattle Mariners are right back in the mix after pursuing Donovan last offseason.
This time, they’re hoping to get a deal done.
Donovan, who turns 29 in January, is coming off another strong season at the plate. He slashed .287/.353/.422 in 2025, good for a 119 wRC+ - meaning he was about 19% better than the league-average hitter.
He tallied 10 home runs, 32 doubles, and showed his usual discipline at the plate, walking at an 8.2% clip while striking out just 13% of the time. That’s been the story of his big league career: consistent, contact-driven offense with a knack for getting on base.
Through nearly 2,000 MLB plate appearances, he’s hitting .282 with a .361 OBP and a strikeout rate that remains among the lowest in the league.
But Donovan’s value goes beyond the batter’s box. He’s the kind of player managers love to pencil into the lineup because he can play just about anywhere.
While he’s spent most of his time at second base and in left field, he’s also logged innings at third base, shortstop, first base, and right field. That kind of defensive flexibility is gold for contending teams - especially those trying to navigate injuries or inconsistent production across multiple positions.
Enter the Mariners, who check just about every box when it comes to a potential Donovan landing spot. Seattle’s infield picture is still coming into focus, with top prospects Cole Young and Colt Emerson expected to compete for roles at second and third base.
But Young struggled in his first taste of MLB action last season, and Emerson - while promising - has barely touched Triple-A. Donovan could stabilize either position while also giving Seattle depth in the outfield, where Victor Robles is currently slated to start in right alongside Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez.
Adding Donovan would allow the Mariners to shift Robles or Dominic Canzone into more matchup-based roles.
And then there’s the contact factor. Seattle has been chasing more high-contact hitters for a while now, and Donovan fits that mold to a tee.
The Mariners struck out more than any team in MLB in 2023 and 2024, and while they improved to seventh in 2025, there’s still room to grow. Josh Naylor helped bring more balance to the lineup, but pairing him with Donovan would give Seattle two of the toughest outs in the American League - a much-needed change of pace for a team that’s often lived and died by the long ball.
Of course, Donovan’s appeal isn’t limited to Seattle. His bat-to-ball skills, defensive versatility, and team-friendly contract make him a fit for just about any contender.
He’s projected to earn $5.4 million in 2026 and remains under team control through 2027. That’s two more years of high-level production at a bargain price - the kind of asset that doesn’t come cheap in trade talks.
The Cardinals know this. According to multiple reports, they’re not actively shopping Donovan, but they’re listening - and it’s going to take a serious offer to pry him loose. With interest heating up, there’s a growing sense around the league that a deal could happen if the right package comes along.
Seattle has the farm system to make it happen. The Mariners boast one of the deepest collections of young talent in baseball, and they’ve shown a willingness to be aggressive when the right player becomes available. Donovan could be that player - a plug-and-play contributor who helps right away and fits the team’s long-term vision.
But Seattle isn’t alone. The Pirates, Astros, Guardians, and Royals have all shown interest, and that’s likely just the tip of the iceberg. Donovan’s name has been linked to the Dodgers, Yankees, and Blue Jays in the past, and with the offseason heating up, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more teams jump into the mix.
For now, the Cardinals hold the cards - and Brendan Donovan might just be the ace in their hand.