Report: Mariners Nearing Trade for Brendan Donovan

The rebuilding Cardinals are close to trading utility player Brendan Donovan to the Mariners, multiple sources told Katie Woo and Chad Jennings of The Athletic on Monday. The trade could be a three-team deal, and Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the other team is the Rays.

When the trade is done, pending physicals, this is how it will shake out:

SEA receives: UTIL Brendan Donovan (per The Athletic’s Katie Woo)

STL receives: RHP Jurrangelo Cijntje via SEA (per New York Post’s Joel Sherman), OF Tai Peete via SEA, OF Colton Ledbetter via TB, Comp B draft pick

TB receives: 3B Ben Williamson via SEA (per Bob Nightengale of  USA Today)

Donovan, 29, hit .287/.353/.422/.775 with 10 home runs in 515 plate appearances in 2025 and represented St. Louis in the All-Star Game. He was the first NL player to earn a utility Gold Glove when he won it in his rookie year in 2022. He has played four infield positions and both corner outfield spots in his four-year career.

About 15 teams showed interest in the versatile Donovan early in the offseason, but ultimately the Mariners and Giants became his biggest suitors, The Athletic reported. The Giants signed free agent infielder Luis Arraez to play second base on Saturday, opening the door for Seattle.

The Cardinals, coming off a 78-win season, traded Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras to the Red Sox this winter as the club tries to clear payroll and create playing time for younger players, per The Athletic. JJ Wetherholt, the No. 7 pick of the 2024 Draft and a top prospect, could see more action as a result of a deal.

Donovan will earn $5.8 million this season and be under team control for 2027, after which he can become a free agent.

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