ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Matrix Midwest) - The Cardinals are sending Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners in a three-way trade, the team announced Monday evening.
Both Jeff Passan of ESPN and Katie Woo of the Athletic reported Monday afternoon that the Cardinals were closing in on a 3-way trade that would send the utility to Seattle. Passan also reported that the third team involved is the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Seattle Mariners are nearing a deal to acquire IF/OF Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a three-way trade that also includes Tampa Bay, sources tell ESPN. A deal that had been considered for weeks would finally land Seattle a versatile impact bat.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 2, 2026
It was later reported that the Cardinals will receive two prospects from the Mariners organization and one prospects from the Rays organization, plus draft picks.
The Seattle Mariners have acquired All-Star Brendan Donovan. Deal is done. Full trade, per sources:
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 3, 2026
Mariners receive: Donovan
Cardinals receive: RHP Jurrangelo Cijntje, CF Tai Peete, OF Colton Ledbetter and two competitive-balance Round B picks
Rays receive: 3B Ben Williamson
The Cardinals officially announced the trade around 8:30 Monday night.
Donovan has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, as the Cardinals have gone full steam ahead with rebuilding, trading away Nolen Arenado, Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras.
Donovan spent most of 2025 at second base, but sometimes played at third base and in the outfield.
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