For most of the offseason, it's teetered toward inevitability that the St. Louis Cardinals will deal 2025 All-Star second baseman Brendan Donovan.

The majority of the winter, the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants have been rumored as the most likely suitors for Donovan.

Recent reports have said the Giants are aggressively pursuing a second baseman and have been in talks with the Cardinals for Donovan and the Chicago Cubs for Nico Hoerner.

There's also been renewed chatter pertaining to Seattle's pursuit for Donovan, and an MLB insider recently speculated another major league could be involved in the discussions.

In an appearance on the "Foul Territory" podcast, the Athletic's Ken Rosenthal discussed a potential deal that could see Donovan and outfielder Lars Nootbaar going to the Pacific Northwest.

"I still see Seattle as the favorite (for Donovan)," Rosenthal said on the podcast. "And the reason for that is their farm system is one of the best in the game. San Francisco is in the mix and has been for Donovan for quite some time ... but their farm system is not very good at all and they don't have much to give that the Cardinals would necessarily want. ... I do believe (Donovan) will get dealt and the idea of Donovan and Nootbaar together in Seattle, I could see that being a possibility."

Rosenthal's comments came soon after a report that the M's and Cardinals have also been in discussions pertaining to left-handed reliever JoJo Romero.

Various insiders have also expressed belief the Mariners are still the favorites to land Donovan.

For most of the offseason, it's been rumored that St. Louis' desired package for Donovan would include two top prospects. If a second major leaguer is included in a deal, there's a decent change those terms have changed, which could be the reason for a deal not getting done yet.

Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with a .775 OPS in 118 games and hit 32 doubles and 10 home runs with 50 RBIs.

Nootbaar slashed .234/.325/.361 in 135 games in '25 and hit 24 doubles, a triple and 13 homers with 48 RBIs.

It seems more of a question of "when," rather than "if" Donovan will get traded. If he does, it will be the latest of a series of notable deals for the Cardinals in the last year.

St. Louis has also moved on from closer Ryan Helsley, starting pitcher Sonny Gray, first baseman/catcher Willson Contreras and third baseman Nolan Arenado.

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