Brendan Donovan, the versatile St. Louis Cardinals All-Star, has drawn widespread interest from MLB teams during the offseason, but two West Coast clubs are pulling ahead in the race. According to reports from The Athletic’s Katie Woo, the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants stand out as frontrunners to acquire the 28-year-old utility standout, who offers club control through 2027. As the Cardinals pivot toward a rebuild under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, they seek a hefty return—multiple top prospects—to part ways with Donovan, signaling more moves ahead for the NL Central squad.
Donovan’s appeal lies in his switch-hitting prowess and defensive flexibility, primarily at second base and left field. In 2025, he earned his first All-Star nod, slashing .287/.353/.422 with 32 doubles, 10 homers, and 50 RBIs over 118 games. His 2022 Gold Glove at second base highlighted elite glove work, and he’s posted a career .282/.361/.411 line with 40 homers across four seasons. Released from a crowded Cardinals infield featuring Nolan Arenado and young talents, Donovan represents cost-controlled value—projected at $5.4 million in 2026 arbitration—making him a prime trade chip.
The Mariners, boasting MLB’s third-ranked farm system per ESPN, view Donovan as a seamless fit after losing infielder Jorge Polanco to the New York Mets in free agency. Fresh off a 90-win AL West title and an ALCS heartbreak against the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle craves lineup stability. Prospects like righty-lefty ambidextrous pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (2024 first-rounder) and outfielder Lazaro Montes have surfaced in talks, leveraging the Mariners’ pitching depth evaluated by Cardinals director Matt Pierpont, a Seattle alum. Donovan could anchor second base alongside Julio Rodríguez, bolstering a contact-oriented offense amid playoff pushes.
San Francisco, with the 24th-ranked system, eyes Donovan to complement shortstop Willy Adames’ $182 million megadeal. The Giants’ 81-81 finish kept them out of October, prompting infield upgrades under first-year manager Tony Vitello. Discussions have included lefty Carson Whisenhunt (Giants’ No. 7 prospect, 5.01 ERA in 2025 debut) and infielder Gavin Kilen (No. 3 prospect, 2025 first-rounder from Tennessee). Donovan’s outfield versatility—dominant in left during 2024—pairs with second-base duties alongside Casey Schmitt, adding lefty balance to a righty-heavy core.
St. Louis won’t budge without an “overwhelming” package, per sources, prioritizing youth over rentals. Half of MLB has inquired, but Mariners’ prospect riches and Giants’ urgency separate them. Seattle’s momentum post-Winter Meetings and San Francisco’s quiet free-agency stance fuel a bidding war. Cardinals’ strategy mirrors past firesales, with Donovan unlikely as the lone star moved—expect Nolan Gorman or others next.
This saga underscores MLB’s trade market dynamics: contenders chase controllable talent amid rebuilds. For Donovan, a West Coast landing revitalizes contention bids—Mariners eyeing rings, Giants chasing relevance. As talks heat, St. Louis holds leverage, but a deal looms before spring training.