Mariners Acquire in Multi-Team Trade With Cardinals and Rays
The St. Louis Cardinals have officially moved on from one of their most versatile veterans, trading former Gold Glove winner and All-Star Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners in a complex three-team deal that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays. Donovan, 29, had been at the center of trade speculation for months, with multiple clubs expressing interest before Seattle ultimately emerged as the strongest fit.
Seattle’s pursuit of Donovan gained momentum after the Mariners failed to bring back former third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who instead reunited with the Cincinnati Reds. With that option off the board, Donovan became Seattle’s primary alternative, and discussions with St. Louis—two teams that had explored a deal in the past—intensified before finally resulting in an agreement earlier this week.
The centerpiece of the trade is Donovan heading to the Pacific Northwest, but the Cardinals received a sizable return aimed at strengthening their farm system and future flexibility. St. Louis landed pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje, outfielder Tai Peete, and Seattle’s 68th overall draft pick. From Tampa Bay, the Cardinals added outfield prospect Colton Ledbetter along with the Rays’ 72nd overall pick. In return, the Rays received third baseman Ben Williamson.
From St. Louis’ perspective, the return checks several boxes. Cijntje, selected 15th overall by Seattle in the 2024 draft, is viewed as one of the most intriguing arms in the minors. The 22-year-old stands out not only for his athletic build but also for being listed as a switch-pitcher, a rare trait that immediately boosts intrigue within the Cardinals’ system. Peete, a former first-round pick in 2023, brings positional flexibility and athletic upside, and he enters 2026 ranked among Baseball America’s top prospects.
Ledbetter adds another layer of depth to the deal. Drafted 55th overall in 2023, he spent last season at Double-A Montgomery and posted a solid .265/.337/.715 slash line. While he may not be a headline-grabbing prospect, evaluators believe he could push for a major league role as soon as 2026. When combined with two draft selections, the Cardinals walked away with multiple high-upside pieces despite parting with an established major leaguer.
For the Cardinals, Donovan’s departure signals a continued shift toward youth. Along with Nolan Arenado’s recent move to the Arizona Diamondbacks, this trade clears a path for top prospect JJ Wetherholt to potentially crack the Opening Day roster. Even before Donovan was dealt, many believed Wetherholt was nearing a major league opportunity.
Without Donovan, questions remain about how St. Louis will address left field. External options such as Miguel Andujar or Randal Grichuk could be considered as right-handed complements, while internal candidates remain less certain. Regardless of the next move, Donovan’s trade felt inevitable given the organization’s long-term direction.
Though his exit marks the end of an era, Donovan leaves behind a strong legacy in St. Louis. Known affectionately as “Donnie Hustle,” he brought leadership, versatility, and energy to the clubhouse. While the Cardinals didn’t have to move him, the decision reflects a broader commitment to building a younger, hungrier roster—one that could soon feature a wave of talent rising from Memphis and Springfield.
Leave a Reply