MLB Trade Rumors: 2 Teams are Frontrunners to Acquire Brendan Donovan

Versatile All-Star utilityman Brendan Donovan is available as the St. Louis Cardinals continue their rebuild. And we have word that there are two teams on the West Coast that are the leading frontrunners to land him in a trade.

The Mariners and Giants are reportedly the frontrunners to land All-Star Brendan Donovan in a potential trade.#MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/pT0n9msGva
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 15, 2025

Katie Woo has suggested in The Athletic, that the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants are the two teams to watch in regards to a trade with St. Louis for Donovan. She adds that the Cards are looking to land multiple prospects in return.

Mariners & Giants are frontrunners to land trade target Brendan Donovan

The Mariners make a lot of sense, as they just lost second baseman Jorge Polanco in free agency to the New York Mets. The M's are also without a veteran third baseman as Eugenio Suarez remains a free agent, and it doesn't appear that the team is jumping at the chance to re-sign the 34-year-old.

The Giants, writes Woo, will also be aggressive in their pursuit of the Cardinals' star. They are also searching for an answer at second base. She says that several top prospects have been discussed in negotiations between the two clubs.

Donovan is a high-contact hitter with a low strikeout rate. Defensively, he's a Gold Glove winner, and can play second base, third base, and the outfield.

Interestingly, both teams also remain "engaged in trade talks" over Ketel Marte, the Arizona Diamondbacks superstar second baseman.