On his weekly appearance on Seattle Sports Monday, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi took a swing at the latest Seattle Mariners buzz, a report in the Athletic this week that named the Mariners along with the Giants the favorites to land Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan. Regardless of where he goes, Morosi is convinced the 25-year-old infielder will be on the move this winter.

Donovan or Marte? Weighing Seattle Mariners’ 2B trade options

“I would be surprised, almost leaning on stunned, if he is still a Card when they report to Jupiter, Florida at the beginning of February,” he told Wyman and Bob. “They are clearly in this talent-acquisition phase of their evolution. New president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, this is going to be the first, I think, really major trade the Cards make.”

For as much talk as there has been about the Cardinals requiring pitching in return, Morosi believes a trade package from the Mariners should involve one of their young infielders. He sees a logjam at second, third and shortstop, and while admitting it is oversimplifying reasoning a young infielder coming in should be balanced by one going out, a cautionary tale can be found by looking at Harry Ford.

“The issue is you probably could have gotten a lot more if you traded him a year ago,” he said. “What I would encourage them to do is make that decision. (J.P) Crawford, (Colt) Emerson, (Cole) Young and (Ben) Williamson are not all going to be every day players for you in 2026. It is not possible.

“I think it is time for the Mariners to make a choice and whoever is not part of that inner, inner circle, I think you should make a trade for Brendan Donovan. Because this is not a team that’s about winning trades on the margins. This is a team that can win a World Series. It’s important to realize just how close they are.”

Morosi has not ruled out a potential deal between the Mariners and Diamondbacks for Ketel Marte, but he sees a better match for the Mariners with the Cardinals and Donovan. As for a timeline for a potential deal, well, that could get a boost very soon thanks to a rare offseason deadline.

“We are about a week away from when (Munetaka) Murakami’s window closes,” he said referencing the Dec. 22 posting deadline for the Japanese third baseman.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of things collide a week from now,” he said. “It’s the last Monday before Christmas, it’s the deadline for Murakami. The Mariners might say either accept this deal for Donovan or we are going to turn and make an offer to Murakami and then we’re done here.”

Morosi said he believes the Mariners are on the list of teams interested in Murakami’s services but doesn’t know if they have made an actual offer. On or off the list, Morosi sees the potential for another reward if they play and win the long game.

“If you wait, you may be able to get Geno Suárez on a smaller dollar value than (the $20 million per year Jorge Polanco received)” he said. “Don’t know how many years, but let’s just see how the market plays out once Alex Bregman signs, how many teams are lining up for Suarez. If you wait this out and it seems like that is the approach the M’s are taking, that eventually the calendar flips to 2026, time will be on your side, and find the 2026 version of the Polo you had in ’25.”

The full conversation with Morosi can be found here or in the audio player in this story. Listen to Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2-7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

More Seattle Mariners offseason coverage

• Seattle Mariners sign backup catcher to one-year deal
• Seattle Mariners reportedly a front-runner for Cardinals’ Donovan
• Drayer: How Polanco’s departure impacts Seattle Mariners’ offseason
• Why Nolan Arenado could make sense as a Mariners trade target
• Salk: What we know and think about Seattle Mariners’ offseason needs