Reds Chances Rise in NL Central After Cardinals Trade All-Star to Mariners

The St. Louis Cardinals traded away their 2025 All-Star Brendan Donovan on Monday afternoon. He is being sent to the Seattle Mariners in a three-way trade that also involves the Tampa Bay Rays, according to ESPN.com's Jeff Passan.

Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with 42 extra-base hits in 118 games with St. Louis last season.

Earlier this offseason, the Cardinals traded starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox and third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks. It appears the Cardinals are fullly committing to a rebuild.

The Reds appear to be going in the opposite direction. Their signing of Eugenio Suárez on Sunday night sends a clear message. By stretching beyond their projected payroll, Cincinnati is showing a level of aggressiveness that underscores a front office and ownership group ready to win now.

As of Monday afternoon, the Reds were +340 to win the National League Central Division, coming right behind the Brewers (+270) and the Cubs (+125).

You can see Passan's full post below:

The Seattle Mariners are nearing a deal to acquire IF/OF Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a three-way trade that also includes Tampa Bay, sources tell ESPN. A deal that had been considered for weeks would finally land Seattle a versatile impact bat.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 2, 2026