This offseason, the Seattle Mariners had three big-name free agents to figure out what to do with. Josh Naylor returned as the earliest singing of the winter, coming back on a huge contract extension.
After him, Eugenio Suarez and Jorge Polanco were next in line. With the New York Mets scooping Polanco up, with the plan to play him at first base, the Mariners had to look elsewhere for their infield replacements.
One option, a Gold Glover who they've already been linked to before this winter, was linked to the Mariners as his best possible fit by Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. This possible addition is St. Louis Cardinals' Brendan Donovan.
Mariners named best fit for Brendan Donovan
"The Kansas City Royals remain among the teams interested," Rosenthal and Sammon write, "but if the Cardinals prefer premium young bats, the Seattle Mariners are perhaps the best fit."
What makes this report from the duo from The Athletic so interesting for the Mariners is not that they're one of the best landing spots, but the reason why they're a strong destination.
It's not necessarily due to the Mariners' need for a second baseman, which is an issue the Mariners need to address this winter. Instead, it's for what they could give up an intrade.
Seattle has some position players who the Cardinals could have interest in trading Donovan for this winter.
More: Cardinals' Brendan Donovan gets trade rumors update involving Mariners, Royals
Colt Emerson is most likely untouchable, while Lazaro Montes, Michael Arroyo, Jonny Farmelo, Felnin Celesten, Taj Peete, and Yorger Bautista, among many other prospects, could be the best targets in a trade for St. Louis.
Seattle has some great position player prospect depth, and unlike a lot of teams looking to trade away their best assets, the Cardinals aren't seeking starting pitchers.
Rosenthal and Sammon's report suggests that the Mariners, with this great prospect depth of position players, could be the best trade fit with the Cardinals for Donovan, an All-Star second baseman, this offseason.
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