According to a new report from Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Mariners are heating up trade conversations in the wake of losing Jorge Polanco to the New York Mets over the weekend.

While Jude says the Mariners are talking about both Ketel Marte and Brendan Donovan, Donovan is viewed as more likely. 

And given some of their budget limitations, would the Mariners be wiling to give up three elite prospects and commit $100-plus million to a player entering his mid-30s? (Marte)

A trade with St. Louis for Donovan is viewed as more likely for the Mariners, who have coveted the super utility player for the past couple years.

Over the weekend, it was reported that the Mariners and San Francisco Giants were favorites in the battle for Donovan, who has been one of the most attractive trade pieces around the league this offseason.

Why Donovan is a logical fit

There's a handful of reasons, really, why he makes a lot of sense for the Mariners - especially in the wake of losing Polanco.

1) The positional flexibility. He can play second base, left field or designated hitter, and without Polanco, there's room for him to rotate through all three positions. That means the M's can make things work with him and Cole Young, assuming Young isn't traded in the deal itself.

2) The money. He's only projected to make just over $5 million in arbitration this year, meaning he's affordable to the Mariners' budget.

3) Team control. He's under team control for two seasons, giving the M's two bites at the apple, and because it's "only" two years, the hope is that he won't cost as much as Marte. Indications are it will take two solid prospects to get Donovan, as opposed to at least three for Marte.

4) The strikeout rate. Donovan struck out only 13 percent of the time in 2025, and contact is something the M's want to improve in 2026.

More Mariners stories

Polanco's decision proves that athletes are motivated by different things

Should Mariners acquire Brandon Lowe and/or Yandy Diaz? 

Mariners fans will come to miss Mitch Garver

What would the cost be?

According to Jude's report, the Mariners are potentially willing to include pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijtnje in a deal. He was taken in the first-round of the 2024 draft out of Mississippi State. A switch-pitcher, he's ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the organization, per MLB.com.

A better right-handed pitcher than a left-handed pitcher, he went 5-7 with a 3.99 ERA in 2025, pitching at both High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas. He struck out 120 batters in 108.1 innings.

How about timing?

It sounds as if the Mariners could get something done soon if it's going to happen. If nothing happens before the Christmas holiday, expect the market to go quiet until after the first of the year.

Join the Conversation

Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!