The trade of Brendan Donovan to Seattle resolved many questions that had lingered for seasons. The lineup is cleaner. The defense is more solid. But like any major decision, it also created a new void—this time at third base, and even deeper in Leo Rivas’s story.
When Eugenio Suárez left, most fans thought the competition would be between Ben Williamson and top prospect Colt Emerson in Spring Training. That scenario is no longer the case. Williamson is part of the Donovan trade, and that speaks volumes: how much the Mariners believe in Colt Emerson.
In just a few weeks, Emerson went from “future hope” to a leading contender for the starting spot, despite never having swung a bat in MLB. Not because he did anything right or wrong—but because the team’s needs pushed him forward.
On paper, Miles Mastrobuoni is now listed at the top of the depth chart. But everyone understands that’s just for show. At 31, with less than 400 at-bats in MLB, and a 14th-round pick, he’s not the long-term answer. Therefore, the real competition will revolve around two names: Colt Emerson and Leo Rivas.
And this is where the story gets interesting.
Leo Rivas doesn’t have impressive offensive statistics. After two seasons of ups and downs, he’s only shot .239, had two home runs, and 17 RBIs. But if you only look at the box score, you’ll miss the most important thing: Rivas has played MLB for a winning team.
That’s an experience that can’t be measured in numbers. Rivas is an incredibly reliable infield guard. Fielding percentage of .990 in the 2025 season, a perfect 1.000 in the postseason. Not flashy, not a constant highlight – but the kind of player coaches trust when the game is tight.
Given that the Mariners might want to “take it slow” with Colt Emerson, Rivas becomes a logical option to maintain team stability. He can play third base, shortstop, and rotate when needed. This allows Emerson to learn and adapt, rather than being thrown straight into the fire.
But this puts Rivas in a difficult position. After two seasons of only being used partially, he has proven himself a true big-leaguer. The question is: will he ever be considered a long-term starter?
With Emerson, the Mariners are betting on potential. With Rivas, they are valuing consistency. And the upcoming Spring Training will not just be a competition for positions—it will be a test of philosophy.
Seattle has solved its lineup problem. But in the hot corner, they are still on two paths: investing in an unproven future, or giving a real chance to a player who has quietly done everything right.
Leo Rivas is not flashy. No media pressure. But sometimes, it is precisely players like these who are the clearest measure of what a team truly believes in.
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