In a thrilling twist in the world of baseball, the San Francisco Giants and the Seattle Mariners are emerging as the leading contenders to secure the services of All-Star Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals. This comes at a time when the Giants have been relatively quiet on the free-agent front, yet are actively seeking to bolster their roster through trades.
According to a report by Katie Woo from The Athletic, the Giants and Mariners are at the forefront of negotiations for Donovan, whose performance has made him a valuable asset. At just 28 years old, Donovan has already established himself as a key player during his four seasons in Major League Baseball, highlighted by earning his first All-Star selection last season.
Last year, Donovan showcased his skills over 118 games, achieving an impressive batting average of .287 with a .353 on-base percentage and a .422 slugging percentage. His season included 32 doubles, 10 home runs, and 50 runs batted in (RBI). Furthermore, in 2024, he set career records with 34 doubles, 14 home runs, and 73 RBIs, underscoring his growth and consistency as a hitter.
Primarily playing second base in 2025, Donovan also demonstrated versatility by taking on left field duties in 2024. This adaptability could be particularly beneficial for the Giants' new manager, Tony Vitello, providing him with flexible options to utilize throughout the season.
Reports indicate that the Giants and Cardinals have engaged in discussions about several promising prospects who might be included in a trade for Donovan. Notable mentions are left-handed pitcher Carson Whisenhunt and Gavin Kilen, the Giants' first-round draft pick from 2025, who previously played under Vitello at the University of Tennessee.
Whisenhunt, now 25, had a much-anticipated debut in the big leagues last season but faced challenges, posting a 5.01 ERA with 16 strikeouts across five starts. Despite this rough beginning, MLB Pipeline still ranked him as the seventh-best prospect in the Giants' system by season's end.
On the other hand, Kilen, a middle infielder, currently ranks as the third-best prospect for the Giants. After being drafted as the 13th overall pick, he managed to hit .205 in just 10 games with Low A San Jose, indicating there is still significant potential for development.
However, there's a catch: sources relay that the Cardinals are unlikely to part with Donovan unless they receive an extraordinary offer in return. This means the Giants will need to present a compelling package to outbid the Mariners, who boast one of the most robust minor league systems in baseball.
It's important to note that Donovan is not merely a one-year acquisition; he is arbitration-eligible for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Projections suggest that he might earn around $5.4 million in arbitration next season, making him a strategic long-term investment.
Currently, Casey Schmitt is expected to handle the majority of second base duties in 2026, although he recently underwent surgery on his left wrist, which could affect his readiness for spring training. General Manager Zack Minasian expressed optimism about Schmitt’s recovery, stating, "We don't think he'll be slowed during spring training at all. He should be fine. I thought Casey made a lot of positive strides last year: At-bat quality, learning a new position, there's still some upside there, and I'm excited to see what he can do going forward."
If the Giants successfully acquire Donovan, it's likely that he would share time at second base with Schmitt, allowing both players to leverage their versatility by rotating positions on the field. This strategic depth could significantly enhance the Giants’ competitiveness in the upcoming season.
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