Breaking: Mariners pushing to land Cardinals utilityman Brendan Donovan in three-team deal
Mariners in advanced talks to add a high-contact spark
I can confirm the Mariners are in advanced talks to acquire Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals in a three-team structure. Conversations today moved into final framework territory, with clubs sorting medical language and the last player pieces. The deal is not done, but momentum is strong, and the blueprint is clear.
Seattle targeted bat-to-ball skill and lineup versatility this winter. Donovan checks both boxes. He is a left-handed hitter with elite on-base traits, and he defends everywhere. He won the 2022 National League Gold Glove for utility, and that is not a fluke. This is how he plays, steady, smart, and clean.
Status check. The trade is close, medicals and exact player components are still being finalized.
Why Donovan fits what Seattle wants
The Mariners have star power with Julio Rodríguez and front-line arms. What they need is traffic on the bases and shorter at-bats that end with contact. Donovan brings a mature strike zone, short swing decisions, and the patience to work deep counts without selling out. He gets on base, then he moves the ball. Managers love that in tight games.
Defensively, Donovan is a solve button. He can start at second, third, or a corner outfield spot. He can spell first base. He can be a late-game glove or an everyday table setter. That flexibility lets Seattle optimize matchups without burning the bench. It also protects them from injuries across the diamond.
Cardinals officials have long valued Donovan’s approach and edge. St. Louis developed infield depth, which opened this path. The three-team build helps them turn a strength into arms or prospect capital, while Seattle lands a skill set they have chased for two seasons.
How the lineup changes in Seattle
Add Donovan, and Scott Servais gains a different type of top. He fits in the first three spots, likely in front of Rodríguez. He can also set the tone in the five or six hole on days a righty with strikeout stuff is on the mound. He forces pitchers into the zone. He wears out middle relievers. He lengthens innings.
Expect Seattle to rotate him among second and third on most days, with outfield reps when matchups call for it. J. P. Crawford and Donovan together would grind at-bats early, which is how you win close series in April and in September. The ripple effect is real. Cal Raleigh will see more RBI chances. The bottom third sees more fastballs.
- What Donovan brings on day one:
- Quality at-bats, high on-base skills
- Multi-position defense with plus instincts
- Left-handed balance against hard righties
- Club control that fits the Mariners window
Watch how often Seattle stacks Donovan and Crawford in front of Julio. That trio can flip run prevention into pressure innings.
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What it signals for both clubs
For Seattle, this is a philosophy move. The Mariners have power and pitching. They wanted fewer empty at-bats and more ways to win on days the ball does not leave the yard. Donovan is a culture fit. He plays fast, clean, and unselfish. Club officials have pushed to reduce strikeouts and increase in-zone contact. This acquisition lines up with that plan.
For St. Louis, this is calculated. The Cardinals have Masyn Winn ascending at short, Nolan Gorman’s power at second, and the presence of Nolan Arenado at third. Moving Donovan is not simple, but it can rebalance the roster. A three-team setup hints at St. Louis targeting a specific arm type or control timeline. The intermediary club can supply that match, while Seattle parts with pieces that better fit the third team’s needs.
A deal like this also shows market discipline. One-for-one swaps did not align value. The three-team model often unlocks fits that pure bilateral talks cannot. It takes time, trust, and clear self-scouting. All three clubs are operating with that lens today.
What comes next
The final hurdles are medical review, player approvals where needed, and roster mechanics. Rule 40 considerations are in play, which can influence the last minor pieces. If nothing new pops up, this can move quickly to completion.
Mariners fans should picture a cleaner, more flexible lineup, one that squeezes extra outs and extra pitches. Cardinals fans should expect reinforcements that reflect their front office’s public stance, more run prevention on the mound, and future runway.
Brendan Donovan changes the feel of a game. He will change the feel of this Mariners lineup the moment he walks into the box. The clock is ticking now, and both clubs know it. Baseball in the Northwest might be about to get a lot more annoying for opposing pitchers. Baseball emoji not needed. But you get the point.
