Mariners Hail Donovan Trade as Offseason Masterstroke

MLB.com report lauds Seattle's acquisition of versatile infielder as a perfect fit for their lineup and playoff aspirations.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Seattle Mariners' offseason trade to acquire veteran infielder Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals is being widely praised as one of the smartest moves of the MLB offseason. An MLB.com report highlights how Donovan's well-rounded skillset and high baseball IQ make him an ideal fit for the Mariners' lineup and playoff-contending roster.

Why it matters

The Mariners are looking to build on their 90-win season and AL West division title in 2025, and the addition of Donovan gives them a versatile, high-OBP player who can set the table for their power hitters like Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh. Donovan's ability to play multiple positions also provides valuable roster flexibility.

The details

Donovan, 29, is coming off his first career All-Star selection and Gold Glove Award in 2025, when he hit .287 with 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a .422 slugging percentage. He's capable of playing first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field, and right field, giving the Mariners options to optimize their lineup. His career .361 on-base percentage should allow him to score close to 100 runs batting ahead of the Mariners' big bats.

  • Donovan was acquired by the Mariners in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason.
  • The Mariners won the AL West division title in 2025, going 90-72.

The players

Brendan Donovan

A 29-year-old infielder who was recently acquired by the Seattle Mariners in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. Donovan is a versatile defender who can play multiple positions and is coming off his first career All-Star selection and Gold Glove Award in 2025.

Cal Raleigh

The Mariners' power-hitting catcher who will bat behind Donovan in the lineup.

Julio Rodríguez

The Mariners' star center fielder and one of the game's rising young talents, who will also hit behind Donovan in the order.

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What they’re saying

“Donovan, despite the fact that he has made an All-Star team and won a Gold Glove Award, is perpetually the sort of guy who gets overlooked. He has no signature highlight skill that makes your jaw drop, he was not a hyped prospect, and he doesn't put up eye-popping numbers. But he's a guy who makes whatever team he's on better and does whatever is needed to win games.”

— Daniel Kramer, MLB.com writer (MLB.com)

“The Mariners happened to need a player exactly like Donovan: a left-handed hitter who gets on base, can play anywhere on defense, and grinds out at-bats ahead of power hitters like Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez. Donovan is basically a perfect fit for what the Mariners are trying to do -- which is to take what they did in 2025 and build on it. He makes them better. He may end up making them great.”

— Daniel Kramer, MLB.com writer (MLB.com)

What’s next

The Mariners will look to build on their 2025 division title and make a deep playoff run in 2026 with Donovan as a key addition to their roster.

The takeaway

The Mariners' trade for Brendan Donovan is being widely praised as a savvy offseason move that addresses a key need for the team and provides them with a versatile, high-OBP player to set the table for their potent lineup. Donovan's well-rounded skillset and high baseball IQ make him an ideal fit as the Mariners aim to take the next step and contend for a championship.