Cardinals Trade All-Star Donovan to Mariners in Three-Team Deal

St. Louis acquires young talent including pitching prospect Cijntje in exchange for versatile infielder

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The St. Louis Cardinals have traded four-year veteran and 2025 All-Star Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners as part of a three-team deal that brings the Cardinals a haul of young talent, including right-handed pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje, outfielders Tai Peete and Colton Ledbetter, and two high draft picks.

Why it matters

The Cardinals are looking to the future, trading away an established All-Star in Donovan in exchange for a package of promising young players and draft capital. This signals a shift in the team's strategy as they aim to rebuild and reload their farm system with high-upside talent.

The details

In the deal, the Cardinals acquired right-handed pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, outfielders Tai Peete and Colton Ledbetter, and two Compensation Round B draft picks projected to land at Nos. 68 and 72 in the 2026 MLB Draft. Cijntje, a 22-year-old ambidextrous pitcher, was the Mariners' 2024 first-round pick and is ranked as their No. 7 prospect. Peete, a 20-year-old outfielder, was Seattle's 2023 first-round pick and is their No. 10 prospect. Ledbetter, a 24-year-old outfielder, was a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023.

  • The trade was completed on Sunday, February 3, 2026.

The players

Brendan Donovan

A 29-year-old infielder who spent four seasons with the Cardinals, earning an All-Star selection in 2025 and a Gold Glove Award in 2022.

Jurrangelo Cijntje

A 22-year-old right-handed pitcher who was the Mariners' 2024 first-round pick and is ranked as their No. 7 prospect.

Tai Peete

A 20-year-old outfielder who was the Mariners' 2023 first-round pick and is their No. 10 prospect.

Colton Ledbetter

A 24-year-old outfielder who was a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023.

Chaim Bloom

The Cardinals' President of Baseball Operations, who framed the trade as an investment in the future.

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What they’re saying

“We believe we have added exciting athleticism and upside on both sides of the ball.”

— Chaim Bloom, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations

“Brendan Donovan was first class as both a player and a person, and we thank him for his contributions to the team and the St. Louis community.”

— Chaim Bloom, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations

The takeaway

This trade signals the Cardinals' commitment to rebuilding their farm system and acquiring high-upside young talent, even if it means parting with an established All-Star player like Brendan Donovan. The team is looking to the future and believes this deal will pay dividends down the line.