Brendan Donovan: Perfect Fit for Mariners’ Versatile Lineup

This blog post takes a close look at the Seattle Mariners’ recent offseason moves, especially the acquisition of All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan.

We’ll dig into how this trade, along with other signings, might set the Mariners up as real contenders in the AL West. There’s plenty to unpack, from the team’s shift in strategy to Donovan’s expected impact on the lineup, payroll, and future.

Mariners Make Their Move: A Strategic Offseason Masterclass

The baseball world can’t stop talking about the Mariners’ latest moves. After a careful offseason, the M’s look like they’ve locked in a roster that’s ready to make a run at the AL West crown.

Donovan’s Arrival: A Cost-Effective Powerhouse Addition

The highlight of their strategy was the three-team trade that brought All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan to Seattle from the St. Louis Cardinals.

This move, along with signing veteran Rob Refsnyder and re-signing slugger Josh Naylor, signals a team that’s aiming high.

At first, the Mariners chased a different target—a middle-of-the-order bat like Jorge Polanco.

Polanco ended up with the New York Mets, so the Mariners pivoted and landed Donovan instead. That wasn’t just settling; it was a sharp move for a cost-effective, versatile player with more reliability than the often-injured Polanco.

Since his 2022 debut, Donovan has quietly become one of MLB’s most underappreciated hitters.

He owns a .282/.361/.400 line with a 119 wRC+, showing off a contact-heavy approach and a low 13% strikeout rate.

Against right-handed pitching, he’s even better. In 2025, he slashed .315/.383/.471 with a 140 wRC+.

Donovan doesn’t hit a ton of home runs, but he’s a gap-to-gap doubles guy—something every lineup needs.

Beyond the Bat: Donovan’s Multidimensional Impact

Donovan brings more than just offense. His arrival checks off a bunch of boxes for the Mariners, both now and down the road.

Payroll Prowess and Positional Powerhouse

At $5.8 million for 2026, Donovan’s salary gives the Mariners a lot of payroll breathing room.

The team saves about $8 million compared to what Polanco would have cost, especially when you factor in Refsnyder’s $6.25 million deal. This kind of financial flexibility keeps the front office open to future moves without getting boxed in.

Donovan’s ability to play all over the field changes the game for Seattle.

He’s handled multiple positions and even won a Gold Glove as a rookie utility guy. While he’s roughly average on defense, that flexibility is huge for the lineup and defense.

The Mariners see him batting near the top of the order, setting things up for stars like Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, and Josh Naylor.

FanGraphs projects him as the team’s fourth-most productive hitter in 2026. That says a lot about what he might bring to this club.

Nurturing Talent: A Bridge to the Future

Another significant, yet often overlooked, benefit of acquiring Donovan is the patience it gives the Mariners with their promising prospects. Highly touted youngsters like Cole Young and Colt Emerson are right on the cusp of breaking into the big leagues.

Donovan’s presence lets them develop at their own pace. His versatility means he can shift between second and third base once these prospects are ready.

That way, the team ensures a smoother transition—no need to rush anyone or risk the current lineup’s competitiveness. It’s a thoughtful approach, and honestly, it just feels smart.

The Mariners seem to be signaling their intent pretty loudly here. With Donovan in the mix, it’s hard not to get a little excited about what’s coming next in Seattle.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners’ newest player is an ideal fit in more ways than one