Wild comparison will convince Mariners fans of $120M discount on Brendan Donovan

The Seattle Mariners have finally landed their long-time target after completing a blockbuster trade for 2025 All-Star Brendan Donovan, and everyone connected with the organization is understandably over the moon. If you dont mind indulging us however, let's play a game for a moment.

If we were to tell you that the Mariners had a straight up choice between choosing Donovan or Bo Bichette (with no catch), who would you pick? Objectively speaking, as happy as most M's fans are with Monday's trade, we will assume the majority would rather have Bichette.

This would be an entirely understandable decision, given the resume of Bichette from his time with the Toronto Blue Jays. He's a two-time AL hits leader who has twice been named an All-Star, as well as receiving AL MVP votes in four of his seven years in the majors.

Bo Bichette vs. Brendan Donovan not such an easy decision after all

Here's the thing, though: choosing between Donovan and Bichette outright is actually a closer proposition than many people may realize. If you don't believe us, then consider this post on X by Jeff Passan of ESPN:

Essentially, Donovan has been as good a hitter and as valuable a player as Bichette over the past three seasons. And as much as this might sound like a bit of reach, there's the case to be made that the Mariners' newest acquisition has been more durable and consistent.

Mariners big winners when it comes down to defense and money

One thing which isn't up for any debate is that Donovan is the better defender, whether you want to go by the eye test, statistical comparisons or their respective Baseball Savant percentile rankings. Perhaps Bichette will do better for the New York Mets after moving from shortstop to third base, but Donovan has already shown an ability to succeed defensively at a number of positions on the field.

If all of this isn't enough when it comes to comparing the two, the Mariners are getting significantly more value for their money with Donovan, with him set to receive $5.8 million in 2026 and being under club control for another year before he becomes a free agent. Meanwhile, Bichette is signed up for $126 million over the next three years.

Of course overall, sans salaries, Bichette does possess the "star" brand and you would ideally still rather have him in your lineup. However, when comparing all of the above statistics and figures for the two players, Donovan isn't so bad for the Mariners after all.