Brendan Donovan headed to Mariners in three-team trade after career year

The Mariners are bringing Brendan Donovan to the Pacific Northwest as part of a trade that includes the Cardinals and Rays. The Cardinals are getting right-hander Jurrangelo Cijntje, center fielder Tai Peete, outfielder Colton Ledbetter and two competitive-balance Round B picks, and the Rays will get third baseman Ben Williamson, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported.Donovan hit .287 — a career best — last season while recording 10 home runs and 50 RBIs in 118 games. He also had the team lead in doubles, with 32 and WAR, with a 2.7. He has played four seasons in the big leagues, all of which have been with the Cardinals. Donovan was an All-Star for the first time in his career last season. The Cardinals had been looking at signing Donovan to a long-term deal, but the sides never came close to a new contract, ESPN reported. Donovan brings versatility to Seattle that will help as it looks to address questions at second and third base, both positions that Donovan has played. In fact, Donovan had mostly spent time at second base last season and has more than 100 career innings at third base, shortstop, third base and right field under his belt. And in 2024, he could usually be found in left field. It also gives the Mariners another player at the top of their order who has been an All-Star over the previous two seasons, a list that includes Josh Naylor, Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez. The Mariners are coming off a season in which they just missed out on making it to the World Series. Seattle took the Blue Jays to seven games in the ALCS before Toronto escaped to the Fall Classic. The deal helps make the Mariners a team to watch once again going into 2026....