Report: Cardinals close to trading Donovan to Mariners in 3-team deal

The St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners are nearing a trade involving All-Star second baseman Brendan Donovan, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The Tampa Bay Rays are also involved in the deal and will get third baseman Ben Williamson from the Mariners, while prospects Jurrangelo Cijntje and Tai Peete are going from Seattle to St. Louis, sources told Adam Jude and Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.

Donovan would provide the Mariners with a replacement at second for Jorge Polanco, who signed a deal with the New York Mets in free agency.

The 29-year-old is set to become the latest player traded by the Cardinals, who have already dealt Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Sonny Gray this offseason under first-year president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom.

Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs, 32 doubles, and 50 RBIs in 118 games for the Cardinals last season. He's also a versatile defender who has played first and third base, shortstop, and the outfield throughout his career.

Williamson, 25, hit one homer with 21 RBIs and a .604 OPS over 85 games during his rookie season in 2025.

Cijntje was the No.7-ranked prospect in the Mariners' minor-league system last season, according to MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old was selected 15th overall in the 2024 draft as a switch-pitcher. However, Seattle planned to use him exclusively as a right-hander during his first MLB camp this spring before the reported trade. He authored a 3.99 ERA with 10.0 K/9 across 108 1/3 innings (23 starts) between Single-A and Double-A in 2025.

Peete, taken with the 30th pick in the 2023 draft, was the No. 11-ranked prospect for the Mariners. The 20-year-old outfielder hit 19 homers with a .692 OPS in 125 Single-A games last year.