The Seattle Mariners just made a bold move that could pay dividends in October. By acquiring Brendan Donovan in a multi-team deal, they didn’t just add a utility player - they added a difference-maker.
Donovan’s versatility isn’t just a footnote on his résumé; it’s his calling card. He can plug into almost any spot on the diamond and do so at an above-average level, both defensively and at the plate.
For a Mariners team that came within a game of the World Series - falling to the Blue Jays in a dramatic seven-game ALCS - this move signals something loud and clear: they’re not just running it back, they’re leveling up.
Let’s break down what this deal means and why the Blue Jays, despite their own offseason needs, were left on the outside looking in.
Donovan’s Value - and Why He Wasn’t a Fit for Toronto
The Blue Jays, fresh off losing Bo Bichette to free agency, could’ve used someone like Donovan - a steady bat, strong glove, and the kind of player who quietly helps you win games in October. But here’s the twist: Bichette’s injury-plagued and underwhelming 2024 season may have inadvertently driven up the price tag for Donovan.
Why? Because when you stack their recent numbers side by side, the comparison is closer than you might think.
Over the last three seasons:
- Brendan Donovan: 366 games, .282/.351/.420, 117 wRC+, 7.5 fWAR
- Bo Bichette: 355 games, .291/.333/.445, 116 wRC+, 8.0 fWAR
That’s not just comparable - that’s nearly identical production. And yet, Bichette just inked a $126 million deal with the Mets. If you’re the Cardinals, and you see those numbers, why not ask for a haul in return?
The Cost of Contention
Seattle paid up - and they had to. In return for Donovan, the Mariners sent infielder Ben Williamson to the Rays, along with a package of prospects that included Jurrangelo Cijntje, Tai Peete, and a competitive balance round B pick (#68 overall) to the Cardinals. The Cardinals also received outfield prospect Colton Ledbetter and another comp round B pick (#72 overall) from Tampa Bay.
It’s a lot. But when you’re a team on the cusp, these are the kinds of moves that push you over the edge. Donovan brings contact, discipline, and positional flexibility - all traits that play well in the postseason, especially when you’re trying to navigate a long series and need options off the bench or in the field.
The Bichette Factor
Now, let’s revisit that Bichette-Donovan comparison. On paper, they’ve been neck-and-neck.
But the context matters. Bichette’s 2024 was a rough one: 81 games played, a .255/.277/.322 slash line, just four home runs, and a drop in BABIP from .355 in 2023 to .269.
It was the worst year of his career, no question.
Meanwhile, Donovan, though also limited to under 100 games in 2023, was far more productive. He posted a .284/.365/.422 line with 11 homers and a 14.3% strikeout rate - a profile that screams reliable top-of-the-order bat.
In 2024, he stayed healthy and turned in a full 153-game season, putting up a 2.6 bWAR. Solid, dependable, and trending up.
Bichette, when healthy, has shown a higher ceiling - he’s never posted a bWAR lower than 3.5 in a full season (excluding 2020). But Donovan’s consistency and versatility make him a safer bet in many ways, especially for a team like Seattle that already has stars in place and needs glue guys to hold it all together.
What It Means for the Mariners - and the Rest of the AL
This is a win-now move for a Mariners team that already features the likes of Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor, and Julio Rodríguez. Donovan doesn’t need to be the face of the franchise - he just needs to be the guy who comes through in big moments, whether it’s a key at-bat against a tough righty or a spot start at second, third, or even the outfield.
And for the Cardinals? Credit where it’s due.
If they entered trade talks with the mindset that Donovan’s value is on par with Bichette’s, they played their hand well. They extracted a strong return from a team that’s all-in, and they did it without blinking.
As for the Blue Jays, the search for a Bichette replacement continues. Donovan would’ve made a lot of sense - but not at that price.