Mariners Execs Complete 3-Team Trade at State Capitol

Mariners president and GM made Brendan Donovan deal while attending a legislative ceremony honoring the team.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The Seattle Mariners' front office completed a three-team trade to acquire star utility player Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays while attending a state legislative ceremony honoring the team's 2025 season at the Washington State Capitol building.

Why it matters

The unusual circumstances of the trade highlight the fast-paced and high-stakes nature of MLB roster management, where team executives must be ready to act quickly on deals even when away from their home offices.

The details

According to reports, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander were at the state capitol building signing autographs and posing for photos when the trade was finalized. Hollander had to leave the gallery to make a call to the team's medical staff to review Donovan's file, with the door initially locked before he was buzzed into a nearby break room.

  • The trade was completed on February 3, 2026.

The players

Jerry Dipoto

The president of baseball operations for the Seattle Mariners.

Justin Hollander

The general manager of the Seattle Mariners.

Brendan Donovan

A star utility player acquired by the Mariners in the three-team trade.

Cal Raleigh

The Mariners catcher who set a new single-season franchise record with 60 home runs in 2025.

Ben Williamson

The third baseman acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays in the three-team trade.

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What they’re saying

“Dipoto was signing autographs and posing for photographs. Hollander scrambled to leave the gallery, only to find the door was locked. Someone buzzed him into the senate offices. Hollander apologized, explaining he had to make a call. From a break room down the hall, he phoned the Mariners' medical team in Seattle and told them to start poring over Donovan's file.”

— Ken Rosenthal, Reporter (The Athletic)

“The coolest part of the day was sitting at the state capitol while they were reading a resolution honoring the Mariners, which really was something I had never before experienced. Then we got the deal done, which makes our team feel more complete.”

— Jerry Dipoto, President of Baseball Operations (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Mariners will look to return to the postseason in 2026 following the addition of Donovan, who earned his first All-Star nod last season.

The takeaway

This trade highlights the fast-paced nature of MLB roster management, where team executives must be ready to act quickly on deals even when away from their home offices. The Mariners were able to complete a significant three-team trade while attending a legislative ceremony, showcasing their adaptability and commitment to improving the team.