The race to secure Brendan Donovan, the super-utility player who’s been turning heads across the league, is heating up—and two teams are now leading the charge. According to a report by Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants have emerged as the front-runners in the sweepstakes for Donovan. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: both clubs are also in talks with the Diamondbacks about Ketel Marte, signaling a busy offseason for these teams.
Donovan, a versatile infielder with a market that’s reportedly spanned more than half the league, has long been on the radar of multiple teams, including the Pirates, Royals, Guardians, and Astros. However, the Mariners and Giants are now in the spotlight, with specific prospects being discussed in potential trades. And this is the part most people miss: the Cardinals are demanding multiple top prospects in exchange for Donovan, raising the stakes for any deal.
In Seattle’s case, the Cardinals have their eyes on pitching phenom Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfielder Lazaro Montes. Cijntje, a switch pitcher who throws from both sides (though he’s more dominant as a right-hander), posted a 3.99 ERA across High-A and Double-A in 2025, with a standout 2.67 ERA in his Double-A starts. Montes, once a top-100 prospect, had a quieter year in Double-A but remains a promising talent, especially considering he was one of the youngest players to log 200 plate appearances in the Texas League.
For the Giants, the names being floated are infielder Gavin Kilen and left-handed pitcher Carson Whisenhunt. Kilen, San Francisco’s 2025 first-round pick, had a modest pro debut but showcased his potential with a .357/.441/.671 slash line in his final college season. Whisenhunt, who made his MLB debut this year, struggled in the majors but held his own in Triple-A, where he posted a 4.41 ERA in a notoriously hitter-friendly league.
But here’s the controversial part: Are the Mariners and Giants giving up too much for Donovan? While both teams are clearly motivated—Seattle after missing out on Jorge Polanco and the Giants exploring upgrades over Casey Schmitt and Tyler Fitzgerald—the cost of acquiring Donovan could reshape their farm systems. Is Donovan worth multiple top prospects, or are teams better off pursuing other options like Marte, Brandon Lowe, or even free agents like Alex Bregman?
Speaking of alternatives, the second base market is bustling. The Giants, in particular, are “exploring all options,” with names like Nico Hoerner and even Bo Bichette floating around as potential fits. Meanwhile, the Mariners’ pursuit of Marte adds another layer of complexity to this offseason’s infield shuffle.
So, what do you think? Are the Mariners and Giants making the right move by going all-in on Donovan, or should they pivot to other options? And which team do you think will ultimately land him? Let us know in the comments—this is one trade saga you won’t want to miss!
