The Seattle Mariners have been poking around for infield help all offseason, and now it looks like they’ve finally zeroed in on their guy. After weeks of exploring options, including a brief flirtation with Eugenio Suárez before he signed with Cincinnati, Seattle is reportedly closing in on a three-team trade that would bring in one of the more versatile and reliable infielders on the market: Brendan Donovan.
According to reports, the Mariners are nearing a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays that would send Donovan to Seattle.
It’s a move that’s been in the works for a while, and now it’s on the verge of becoming reality. If it goes through, the Mariners will land a player who checks a lot of boxes for a club trying to stay in the thick of the AL West race.
Let’s talk about what Donovan brings to the table-and why this deal matters.
At 29 years old, Donovan is entering what many would consider his prime. He’s under club control for two more seasons, which fits neatly into Seattle’s current competitive window. He may not be a long-term cornerstone, but he’s exactly the kind of plug-and-play asset that can make a real difference over the next couple of years.
Donovan's calling card? Versatility.
He’s listed as an infielder/outfielder, and that’s not just window dressing. He can handle second base, move around the infield, and even slot into a corner outfield spot if needed.
That kind of flexibility is gold for a team looking to maximize matchups and keep players fresh over a long season.
But he’s not just a utility guy-he’s a legit contributor. Donovan earned a Gold Glove and made the All-Star team in 2025, and he’s coming off a strong campaign with the Cardinals.
In 118 games, he hit .287 with a .775 OPS, good for a 2.7 bWAR. That’s solid production, especially when you factor in that his OPS+ has never dipped below 114 in the last four seasons.
In other words, he's consistently been well above league average at the plate.
For Seattle, this is more than just filling a roster hole-it’s about adding a high-floor, high-IQ player who fits their style. Donovan isn’t a power bat who’s going to light up highlight reels every night, but he’s the type of steady presence that winning teams need.
He grinds out at-bats, puts the ball in play, and plays clean defense. That’s the kind of profile that can quietly swing a few extra wins over the course of a season.
While the trade hasn’t been finalized just yet, the fact that it’s being reported at this level means it’s likely just a matter of time before it becomes official. And when it does, the Mariners will have added a key piece to their infield puzzle-one that could pay dividends as they continue to push for a return to October baseball.