The Seattle Mariners are still in the mix for St. Louis Cardinals All‑Star second baseman/outfielder Brendan Donovan, according to a recent insider update. MLB reporter Curt Bishop notes that while Seattle and St. Louis have discussed Donovan in trade conversations, no deal has materialized yet, and the talks may be stalling because the Cardinals are reportedly asking for a high return package and are seeking starting pitching help in return from the Mariners.
Donovan is widely considered a better fit for Seattle’s current needs than some other trade names that have surfaced, primarily because of his versatility and contact‑oriented offensive profile. If the Mariners acquire him, he could fill the void left by Jorge Polanco’s departure and give Seattle a productive bat and flexible defender who can play second base, third base, and the outfield.
Donovan has emerged as one of the Cardinals’ best all‑around players in recent seasons. In 2025, he finished with a .287 batting average, 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a .775 OPS, showing solid production in the heart of St. Louis’ order.
Over his MLB career (492 games), Donovan has consistently hit for average and gotten on base at a strong clip. His career line sits around .282/.361/.411 with 40 home runs and 202 RBIs, and he has shown the ability to impact games both offensively and defensively.
Donovan’s versatility extends beyond counting stats. He’s been trusted at multiple positions, not just second base but also in the outfield and around the infield, which makes him particularly attractive to clubs like Seattle that value roster flexibility.
For a Mariners lineup looking for consistent contact, on‑base ability, and positional flexibility, Donovan checks a lot of boxes. He’s not just a steady bat; he’s the type of player who can slot into multiple spots, give a boost to the offense, and help shore up defensive alignments without forcing Seattle to overextend for a single position player.
That said, the reasons talks haven’t closed yet are telling. The Cardinals appear to want significant pitching depth in return, something the Mariners could provide thanks to their prospects pipeline. That has made negotiations more complex, and as of now, there’s no agreement in place.
With the Winter Meetings and offseason still rolling, there’s plenty of time for this to develop, or for Seattle to pivot if another option becomes clearer.