Mariners and Giants Lead Brendan Donovan Trade Talks: Sources

The Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants are both in pursuit of St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The Cardinals aim to acquire multiple top prospects in exchange for the 28-year-old player. This move aligns with the team’s rebuilding strategy led by their new president of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom.

Trade Momentum for Brendan Donovan

Since the conclusion of MLB’s Winter Meetings, interest in Donovan has intensified. The Mariners have shown consistent interest in the infielder, while the Giants are also actively seeking to strengthen their roster.

Key Prospects Involved

The Cardinals have expressed interest in several of Seattle’s notable prospects, including:

• Jurrangelo Cijntje – a first-round draft pick from Seattle in 2024, who pitches both right- and left-handed.
• Lazaro Montes – another potential trading piece in discussions.

Similarly, the Giants have put forward their own prospects, such as:

• Gavin Kilen – an infielder.
• Carson Whisenhunt – a left-handed pitcher.

Both teams are expected to offer at least two prospects to secure Donovan, who has attracted interest from over half of MLB teams.

Implications for the Cardinals

The Cardinals are leveraging their connections to the Mariners, especially given their director of pitching, Matt Pierpont, previously worked with Seattle. Following the loss of Jorge Polanco to the New York Mets, the Mariners are motivated to make impactful trades.

Bloom has demonstrated a commitment to long-term vision over short-term gains, emphasizing the necessity of a strong return for key players like Donovan, who remains under team control until 2027.

Additional Trade Considerations

Besides Donovan, the Cardinals are also exploring the trade market for Willson Contreras, especially after the Mets’ recent moves. Contreras is signed through 2027 with a club option for the following year. However, there is no current deal in place, despite the Red Sox expressing significant interest.

Additionally, trading Nolan Arenado is a priority for St. Louis, but a market for the All-Star third basemen has not yet materialized. Bloom confirmed that releasing Arenado is not an option.

As trade discussions evolve, the landscape for both teams remains dynamic as they navigate their offseason strategies.