The St. Louis Cardinals are still in the midst of a rebuild, but with a 51-46 record at the All-Star break, they appear to be nearing the end of that phase and are positioned well for the second half of the season.
However, team president of baseball operations John Mozeliak emphasized a balanced approach to the future when asked about the team’s trade deadline plans. “When we talk about going all-in, we have to consider where the franchise is right now,” Mozeliak said. “With payroll down and a long-term outlook in mind, we’re trying to balance short-term success with sustained success. As we get closer to the deadline, we’ll evaluate any moves that could impact our future in a more collaborative way.”
This deadline presents a unique challenge for Mozeliak, who is set to be replaced by Chaim Bloom at season’s end. With the team still ironing out key issues, the Cardinals may not be ready to fully commit as buyers. If the right trade package comes along—especially one that includes pitching—they could be persuaded to part with a valuable asset.
One such asset is Brendan Donovan, who could be a fit for the Seattle Mariners.
Seattle enters the post-All-Star break stretch with a 51-45 record, currently sitting second in the AL West behind the Houston Astros and in the playoff mix. To stay competitive, the Mariners need to strengthen their second base position and add more offensive firepower.
Bringing in Donovan could do just that. At 28, he fits Seattle’s competitive timeline and would provide an immediate boost. He’s hitting .297 with a .367 on-base percentage and a .430 slugging percentage, along with eight home runs and 36 RBIs. Adding Donovan to a lineup that already features Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez would give the Mariners a solid offensive core to lean on in the playoff race.
Leave a Reply