Top star is officially on the move, heading to the Seattle Mariners as part of a three-team trade. In return, the St. Louis Cardinals landed switch-pitcher (pronounced SAIN-ja), outfielders Tai Peete and Colton Ledbetter, plus two Competitive Balance B draft picks. From a sheer volume standpoint, it was a sizable return for Chaim Bloom—and the talent coming back only strengthens the case.
Bloom’s headline move involving Donovan should give Cardinals fans plenty of reason for optimism about the franchise’s long-term direction.
There’s no denying how difficult it is to part with Donovan. Over the past three seasons, he’s been one of the club’s steadiest performers, posting a 119 wRC+ while providing elite defensive flexibility. His versatility was recognized early, as he captured the first-ever utility Gold Glove in his 2022 rookie campaign. Beyond the numbers, Donovan had also grown into a respected clubhouse presence—leadership the Cardinals will now need to replace internally.
He embodied the Cardinal way in many respects, but with just two years of team control remaining, moving him at peak value ultimately aligned with the organization’s broader vision.
As for the return, St. Louis secured a top-100 prospect in Cijntje, along with two outfielders who add depth to the system. Peete, still just 20 years old, brings upside, while Ledbetter adds immediate organizational coverage in the minors. The two Comp B picks further sweeten the deal, giving the Cardinals five selections within the first 72 picks of the 2026 MLB Draft.
If there were ever a move that embodied a true “draft-and-develop” philosophy, this is it.
Cijntje stands out as one of the more fascinating prospects in baseball as a legitimate switch pitcher. Seattle’s 2024 first-round selection wrapped up the 2025 season with a 3.99 ERA and 120 strikeouts over 108.1 innings split between High-A and Double-A. His results were notably stronger when throwing right-handed, and reports leading up to the trade suggested he would operate exclusively as a righty during spring training, while continuing to throw left-handed in bullpen sessions.
From a pure stuff standpoint, the upside is obvious. Cijntje features a plus fastball that regularly touches the upper 90s, and his slider generates swings and misses at an impressive rate.
Reports ahead of the trade suggested Cijntje would work exclusively as a right-hander during spring training while continuing to throw left-handed in bullpen sessions. The Cardinals could choose to maintain that approach, or they may simplify his development by having him focus solely on pitching right-handed.
Tai Peete profiles as a power-first outfielder whose game comes with some swing-and-miss risk. He launched 19 home runs last season while adding 24 doubles, though he struck out in more than 30 percent of his plate appearances at High-A. Peete also brings speed to the table, stealing 25 bases last year after swiping 45 the season prior. This is a classic buy-low move—one that could pay dividends if his contact skills improve. With plus speed and sound defensive instincts, he has the tools to stick in center field.
Colton Ledbetter, now 24, closed the 2025 season hitting .265 with a .716 OPS. He contributed seven home runs and stole 37 bases, giving the organization another athletic outfield option in the upper minors.
The final sweetener in the deal comes in the form of two Competitive Balance Round B selections in the 2026 MLB Draft—one from Seattle at No. 68 overall and another from Tampa Bay at No. 72. Those additions give St. Louis five picks within the first 72 selections next year. Through trades alone this winter, Chaim Bloom has added 10 prospects and two premium draft picks, laying the groundwork for meaningful farm system growth in the coming seasons.
While it’s a bittersweet goodbye for Brendan Donovan, the return Bloom secured makes his departure far easier for Cardinals fans to accept.