Breaking MLB Trade: Brendan Donovan Dealt to American League in 3-Team Deal

Super utilityman Brendan Donovan was one of the top names on the trade market this offseason. And just when it started to look like the St. Louis Cardinals might hold onto the All Star, they've got the offer they've been looking for, and are sending Donovan to the Seattle Mariners in a three-team swap.

The Seattle Mariners are nearing a deal to acquire IF/OF Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a three-way trade that also includes Tampa Bay, sources tell ESPN. A deal that had been considered for weeks would finally land Seattle a versatile impact bat.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 2, 2026

Fully half of MLB teams were interested in trying to land Donovan from the Cardinals, and after several months of jockeying, the Mariners have finally pulled it off.

The Mariners are trading prized pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje and minor-league OF Tai Peete to St. Louis in the Brendan Donovan trade, as @RyanDivish and @A_Jude first reported. Third baseman Ben Williamson will be going to the Rays for a prospect and Comp B draft pick.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 2, 2026

Top pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje and minor-league OF Tai Peete head to St. Louis from the M's in exchange.

The trade also includes the Tampa Bay Rays, and they get third baseman Ben Williamson from Seattle for a prospect and a draft pick.

Donovan is an All-Star, at the plate and around the diamond, and brings his versatility to the Mariners Lineup

Donovan earned his first All-Star nod in 2025, and the versatile defender won a Gold Glove at the Utility spot in his rookie year in 2022. He's been a solid, consistent contributor, both at the plate and around the diamond, in each of his four major league seasons.

This past year, he hit .287 with a .353 OBP and a .775 OPS. He hit double-digit homers for the third straight season (10) despite managing only 118 games due to injury.

For the Mariners, they had been looking for one more solid offensive piece for their lineup after they were thwarted in tring to bring back third baseman Eugenio Suarez.