MLB Insider Buzz: Brendan Donovan sweepstakes tilt toward $2.2B franchise while Giants refuse to back off Ketel Marte pursuit

Before they go out on the field to compete against each other, teams are engaged in heated trade and free agency discussions this winter. West coast teams Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants battling on multiple fronts looking at possible trades to strengthen their roster.

Mariners edging out Giants for Brendan Donovan trade from Cardinals

The Athletic's Katie Woo reported on Saturday that the Seattle Mariners and the San Francisco Giants were in advanced talks with the St. Louis Cardinals to sign Brendan Donovan via trade. The Cardinals are looking for a two-prospect haul for the career .282 hitter.

The Mariners, worth $2.2 billion by Forbes, have a slight edge over the Giants as their current Director of Pitching, Matt Pierpont, spent four seasons in St. Louis and is familiar with the prospects and their skill sets.

Donovan has recorded an 11.1 bWAR in the four seasons he has played for the Cardinals, mostly through his contact-hitting abilities. As a utility man, he has played 225 games at second base and 163 games in left field. But he has recorded games all over the diamond and in right field.

This versatility could be crucial for the Mariners. They are looking to fill the vacant spot in their lineup after Jorge Polanco signed with the New York Mets. Pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfield prospect Lazaro Montes were named by Woo as possible pieces on the move.

Giants and Mariners remain engaged on Ketel Marte

Several teams have shown interest in Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte. The second baseman is owed $102.5 million over the next six years, which is considered a modest amount for someone who has a 16.1 bWAR in the last three seasons.

Katie Woo, in her column, added that the Mariners and the Giants are also competitors for Marte. San Francisco is reportedly looking at both Marte and free agency options to secure their spot in the middle of the diamond.

The Giants had three players start 39 games or more at second base. Tyler Fitzgerald and Casey Schmidt had poor overall returns, and Christian Koss, despite hitting .264, only had a .676 OPS. Marte hit .283 with 28 home runs and 72 RBIs with an .893 OPS, which was considered a down season for him after his stellar 2024 campaign.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy