Mariners, Giants Lead Race for Free Agent Brendan Donovan

The race to upgrade the infield is on. The Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants have jumped to the front as the main suitors for St. Louis Cardinals standout Brendan Donovan.

Both teams are also eyeing Arizona’s Ketel Marte. The market for top-tier infield help is really just a few aggressive contenders circling a small group of big trade chips.

Mariners and Giants Front and Center for Brendan Donovan

The Cardinals aren’t letting Donovan go for cheap. Their high asking price—multiple top prospects—has shrunk the field fast.

That’s put the Mariners and Giants ahead of clubs like the Pirates, Royals, Guardians, and Astros.

Why Donovan Is So Coveted

Donovan is that super-utility weapon teams love these days. He covers multiple infield spots and corner outfield, swings lefty, and gets on base a lot.

Seattle and San Francisco want more consistency and versatility in their lineups, and Donovan would give them both. He’s not just a rental, either—he’s got years of control left.

His mix of positional flexibility, contact skills, and just enough pop makes him a perfect fit for today’s game. St. Louis knows it, so they’re holding out for a big return.

Seattle’s Pitch: High-Upside Talent and Urgency After Missing on Polanco

The Mariners’ interest in Donovan has only grown. They went hard after Jorge Polanco, but he picked the Mets instead.

That miss has made them even more determined to land Donovan now.

Prospects in Play: Jurrangelo Cijntje and Lazaro Montes

Seattle and St. Louis have talked about two young names in particular:

• Jurrangelo Cijntje – He’s a switch-pitcher—yeah, throws with both arms. He’s impressed in Double-A, showing real athleticism and a developing mix from both sides. That’s rare, and honestly, it’s just cool.
• Lazaro Montes – A top-100 prospect for 2025. Montes brings big power and upside at the plate. His Double-A numbers were up and down, but he’s super young for the level, and scouts still really believe in his bat.

Seattle’s willingness to talk about both Cijntje and Montes shows how much they want Donovan. After missing out on Polanco, they can’t let second base stay a weak spot.

Giants Counter With Gavin Kilen and Carson Whisenhunt

The Giants are moving with a mix of patience and aggression. They’ve offered St. Louis a framework built around two of their better young players.

Both bring different timelines and risk levels.

Kilen’s Upside and Whisenhunt’s Near-Term Value

San Francisco’s package reportedly includes:

• Gavin Kilen – He’s a recent first-rounder and doesn’t have much of a pro track record yet. But his elite college résumé and advanced hit tool make him a natural fit for a Cardinals team that loves polished bats.
• Carson Whisenhunt – A lefty who’s already tasted the majors. His changeup is legit, and scouts have always liked it. The MLB ERA isn’t shiny, but the stuff hints at more to come.

The Giants’ offer stands out because it gives St. Louis future upside and pitching depth right now. Whisenhunt could help the rotation soon, and Kilen might grow into a core piece if his bat plays.

Beyond Donovan: Marte, Lowe, Hoerner and a Shifting Infield Market

Neither team is putting all their eggs in the Donovan basket. Seattle and San Francisco are also talking to Arizona about Ketel Marte.

He’s a proven middle-infield force, and his bat plus ability to play center field make him a huge prize—if you can meet the price.

Giants Cast a Wide Net at Second Base

The Giants are really looking everywhere. Besides Donovan, they’ve checked in on:

• Brandon Lowe – Power at second base, and when he’s healthy, he can change a lineup in a hurry.
• Nico Hoerner – All contact and defense. His game would fit perfectly in Oracle Park, honestly.

The infield market also has names like Alex Bregman, Ha-Seong Kim, and Bo Bichette floating around. None are directly linked to the Giants yet, but you never really know.

Their presence—now or closer to the deadline—definitely shapes how teams chase Donovan and Marte.

What Comes Next in the Infield Arms Race?

The Cardinals have a premium asset in Donovan. The Diamondbacks might dangle Marte.

Meanwhile, the Mariners and Giants sit right at the heart of this infield arms race. Seattle feels the urgency after missing out on Polanco.

San Francisco’s trying a multi-pronged approach to reinvent second base. This storyline probably isn’t going anywhere—it’ll stay front-page material well into the offseason.

Donovan, Marte, or maybe another name from a surprisingly deep infield market could shake things up. The moves these teams make in the next few weeks? They might just define the competitive ceilings in both the AL and NL West for 2025 and beyond.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners, Giants “Front-Runners” For Brendan Donovan