Toronto Blue Jays target Brendan Donovan has officially been traded
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Victor William
Feb 2, 2026 (7:41 PM)
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Photo credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Brendan Donovan (Drafted Round 7, 2018 by Cardinals) is officially heading to the West Coast, and for Blue Jays fans, this one stings a little more than your average trade notification.
We all knew the Seattle Mariners were going to be aggressive after the Jays eliminated them in Game 7 of the ALCS last October.
But seeing them land the exact type of high-contact, lefty bat that Toronto needed feels personal.
The deal is done, and the cost was absolutely astronomical.
To get the versatile infielder, Seattle had to part with their unicorn pitching prospect, Jurrangelo Cijntje (Drafted Round 1, 2024 by Mariners), alongside other significant pieces.
This confirms two things: the market for "professional hitters" is exploding, and the Mariners are terrified of another offensive blackout in the playoffs.
Donovan isn't a slugger, but his .287 average and .775 OPS in 2025 are exactly what competitive teams crave.
He grinds out at-bats, plays everywhere, and basically annoys pitchers until they make a mistake.
The fact that Ross Atkins didn't pull the trigger here suggests the asking price was simply too rich for Toronto's blood despite multiple rumors that they were interested.
The Seattle Mariners have acquired All-Star Brendan Donovan. Deal is done. Full trade, per sources:
Mariners receive: Donovan
Cardinals receive: RHP Jurrangelo Cijntje, CF Tai Peete, OF Colton Ledbetter and two competitive-balance Round B picks
Rays receive: 3B Ben Williamson
Mariners receive: Donovan
Cardinals receive: RHP Jurrangelo Cijntje, CF Tai Peete, OF Colton Ledbetter and two competitive-balance Round B picks
Rays receive: 3B Ben Williamson
The Mariners are building a lineup specifically to beat Toronto
As a fan, you have to respect the hustle, even if you hate the result.
Seattle looked at their lineup, saw the holes the Blue Jays pitching staff exploited, and filled them with a Gold Glove utility man.
Giving up a talent like Cijntje—who throws 98 mph with both arms—is a "win now" move that screams desperation.
The Cardinals made out like bandits, also netting Tai Peete (Drafted Round 1, 2023 by Mariners) and Colton Ledbetter (Drafted Round 2, 2023 by Rays) to jumpstart their rebuild.
For the Jays, the missed opportunity hurts, but retaining our own top pitching depth might be the smarter long-term play.
We wanted Donovan, but not if it meant emptying the farm system of its crown jewels.
Now, the rivalry with Seattle just got a whole lot more interesting for 2026.
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