The Seattle Mariners stand at a crossroads this offseason. They’ve got an AL West title, an award-winning general manager in Jerry Dipoto, and a clear mandate: improve the roster without sacrificing the future.
This piece digs into why a conservative move for Brendan Donovan might fall short. It also looks at why a bold swing for Ketel Marte could actually move the championship needle in Seattle.
Jerry Dipoto’s Blueprint: Draft, Develop, Trade
Jerry Dipoto recently picked up Baseball America’s 2025 Executive of the Year award. He’s rebuilt the Mariners around a disciplined philosophy: Draft, Develop, Trade.
That approach took Seattle from perennial also-ran to AL West champions. Now, it’s guiding every major decision this winter.
The Mariners are openly exploring infield upgrades. But Dipoto’s history shows he won’t trade long-term upside for an illusion of short-term improvement.
That’s where the Brendan Donovan vs. Ketel Marte debate really comes into focus.
Why the Mariners Can’t Afford a Lateral Move
Once you reach the top of a division, “good enough” just isn’t enough anymore. Any major trade needs to be a real, measurable upgrade—especially if it costs premium prospects.
The margin for error shrinks. The patience for lateral moves disguised as progress vanishes.
Brendan Donovan: Solid Player, Questionable Fit
Brendan Donovan is the kind of player front offices tend to like. He’s versatile, steady, and productive at the plate.
On the surface, that checks a lot of boxes for a team like Seattle looking to polish its infield and lengthen its lineup. But once you dig deeper, the picture gets a lot more complicated.
The Limits of Donovan’s Impact
Donovan’s value looks solid but not spectacular:
His offense helps, but his glove and range don’t clearly elevate the Mariners’ infield. If the cost is high-end prospects, “solid” just doesn’t cut it.
Internal Options Narrow the Gap
Seattle’s hesitation isn’t just about Donovan’s limitations. It’s also about what they’ve already built in-house.
The organization has invested heavily in developing a wave of young infielders who might offer equal or greater value at a fraction of the price.
All three carry upside and cost control—two things you give up if you move them or their peers for a non-elite upgrade.
Injury History and Arbitration Costs
Donovan comes with a medical and financial profile that complicates his appeal.
Packaging premium prospects like Lazaro Montes and Jurrangelo Cijntje for that kind of risk feels like a gamble. At worst, it’s an overpay for marginal gain.
Ketel Marte: The Type of Star Worth the Price
If the Mariners are going to cash in trade chips, it should be for someone who clearly and immediately raises the team’s ceiling. That’s where Ketel Marte stands apart from Donovan and most of the market.
Marte isn’t just an upgrade—he’s a lineup-changer.
Impact Bat and Positional Versatility
Marte brings a mix of power, versatility, and a real track record. Seattle’s offense needs that.
This is the type of player who forces opponents to change their game plan. He lets a manager write a different lineup card in October.
Durability Through Smart “Load Management”
Marte has dealt with what some call “off-field distractions” and a history of load management. But the practical result? He’s been reliably available:
In today’s game, that’s not a red flag—it’s actually how you keep star players performing when it matters most.
Why the Mariners Should Aim Higher
The central question for Seattle is simple. If you’re giving up real prospect capital, are you getting a player who truly makes you better than Houston, Texas, and the rest of the AL elite?
With Donovan, it’s tough to say. With Marte, it’s obvious.
The Smart Play for Seattle’s Offseason
Brendan Donovan is reliable and useful. Still, for a franchise chasing a championship with a strong farm system, he feels like a lateral move—not a leap forward.
The Mariners should save their biggest trade assets for a real impact infielder, like Ketel Marte. His bat, flexibility, and star-level production actually justify both the price and the ambition.
If Dipoto sticks with his Draft, Develop, Trade philosophy, Seattle’s next big move can’t just fill a gap. They need someone who actually shifts the franchise’s direction.
Marte fits that bill. Donovan just doesn’t.
Here is the source article for this story: If the Mariners trade for an infielder, it should be a great one
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