The Seattle Mariners just sent a clear message: they’re prioritizing the present. The trade to bring Brendan Donovan—a 2025 All-Star—from St. Louis came at the cost of Jurrangelo Cijntje, the only top-100 prospect in the pitching pool that Seattle was willing to trade. That’s the price of winning now.
But in baseball, when one door closes, another often opens more quietly.
Before the trade, GM Justin Hollander admitted Cijntje could reach MLB in 2026. That won’t be true for the Mariners anymore. But that doesn’t mean Seattle will lack a top-100 arm emerging at T-Mobile Park. Because right behind him, another name is being pushed onto the track—Kade Anderson.
With the 2025 Draft’s third pick, the Mariners chose exactly who they wanted on the board: Kade Anderson, LSU’s left-hander, who just won the Most Outstanding Player award at the College World Series. He hasn’t pitched a professional pitch yet, but has already received a non-roster invite to Spring Training—an unmistakable sign of how the organization values him.
Anderson is considered the most “pro-ready” pitcher of the 2025 class. This is why speculation is no longer far-fetched: starting as a Double-A Arkansas pitcher, accelerating if he performs well, and—if necessary—making his MLB debut in 2026. This path is not unfamiliar. Paul Skenes (draft ’23, debut ’24) and Trey Yesavage (draft ’24, debut ’25) have proven the precedent.
The Mariners themselves are also not hiding their excitement. Justin Toole, Director of Player Development, describes Anderson with keywords every organization craves: coachable, intelligent, hardworking, and a good teammate. Since being drafted, Anderson has spent most of his time in Arizona, gaining 12 pounds of muscle—a small detail, but one that speaks volumes about his commitment and adaptability.
Officially, MLB Pipeline still projects a 2027 debut. But plans on paper are often twisted by reality—especially when rotations are disrupted. Seattle lost Logan Evans for the entire season due to elbow surgery. Emerson Hancock remains a question mark regarding his role as a starter or reliever after the “two-faced” 2025 season. Adding to that, Cijntje’s departure means the Mariners’ pitching depth is no longer what it used to be.
This is where the big-spending organizations will “read” the opportunity.
The Mariners don’t need Anderson to be their savior right away. They need him ready if a worst-case scenario occurs. An active spring training, a stable minor-league run, and the 2026 window could open sooner than expected. As Toole bluntly stated: “His performance will determine the timing. But it’s definitely sooner rather than later.”
The Donovan trade shows Seattle is willing to sacrifice the near future to raise the ceiling on the present. Accelerating Anderson’s move—if all signs are in favor—would be the next step in the same philosophy: flexibility, not dogma. In a World Series-or-bust season, the Mariners aren’t just shopping. They’re preparing exits.
And sometimes, the most dangerous exit—is also the one that yields the greatest rewards.
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