Cardinals trade Donovan to Mariners in 3-team deal

The Seattle Mariners landed an impact bat on the trade market.

Seattle acquired All-Star second baseman Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team swap that also included the Tampa Bay Rays, the clubs announced Monday.

The Cardinals sent Donovan to the Mariners for prospects Jurrangelo Cijntje and Tai Peete and a 2026 Competitive Balance Round B draft pick, while the Rays shipped minor-league outfielder Colton Ledbetter and a 2026 Competitive Balance Round B draft pick to St. Louis. Tampa Bay got third baseman Ben Williamson from Seattle.

Donovan could provide the Mariners with a replacement at second for Jorge Polanco, who signed with the New York Mets in free agency. However, Seattle views Donovan as a viable third baseman and intends to give prospects Colt Emerson and Cole Young opportunities during spring training to make the Opening Day roster, according to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times.

Donovan is the latest player traded by the Cardinals, who have already dealt Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Sonny Gray this offseason under first-year president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom.

The 29-year-old slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs, 32 doubles, and 50 RBIs in 118 games for the Cardinals last season. He's a versatile defender who's played all over the infield and outfield in his career, and is arbitration-eligible through 2027.

"It's tough to imagine a better fit for our team than Brendan," Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "His combination of offensive skill, defensive versatility, consistency in performance, baseball instincts, and quality of character line up with what we value most."

Williamson, 25, hit one homer with 21 RBIs and a .604 OPS over 85 contests during his rookie campaign in 2025.

Cijntje was the No. 7-ranked prospect in the Mariners' minor-league system last season, according to MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old was selected 15th overall in the 2024 draft as a switch-pitcher. However, Seattle planned to use him exclusively as a right-hander during his first MLB camp this spring before the trade. He authored a 3.99 ERA with 10.0 K/9 across 108 1/3 innings (23 starts) between Single-A and Double-A in 2025.

Peete, taken with the 30th pick in the 2023 draft, was the No. 11-ranked prospect for the Mariners. The 20-year-old outfielder hit 19 homers with a .692 OPS in 125 Single-A games last year.

Ledbetter finished 2025 as the No. 24-ranked prospect for the Rays. The 24-year-old went deep seven times with 49 RBIs and a .716 OPS over 123 games in Double-A last season.