Breaking we just got Donovan!

[Sexymarinersfan]

They aren't getting one.

Well that's the great thing about the Trade Deadline. It isn't until the end of July. I didn't think we were getting Naylor and Geno back last year in Spring Training either. I still think Polanco could be had if Cole Young and Colt Emerson aren't ready. Very lefty heavy infield lineup. JP, Colt, Cole, Naylor, Donovan. Could use a Right handed bat.

You mean we could trade for Polanco at the deadline?

We'll just have to see where we're at. But I don't think Polanco is off the table. The M's brought back Geno, they could easily bring back Jorge. They even tried to re-sign Polanco. So yeah, there's a damned good chance. Also depends on where the Mets are at too.

[Sexymarinersfan]

They aren't getting one.

Well that's the great thing about the Trade Deadline. It isn't until the end of July. I didn't think we were getting Naylor and Geno back last year in Spring Training either. I still think Polanco could be had if Cole Young and Colt Emerson aren't ready. Very lefty heavy infield lineup. JP, Colt, Cole, Naylor, Donovan. Could use a Right handed bat.

Right hand bat like Suarez? 15 mil wasn’t an overpay. Just tight ownership.

I didn't want Suarez back. Pass

I'd rather those AB's go to Young and Emerson. Apparently so does the ownership. Plus thats just money saved for a Gilbert or Kirby extension.

Jeff Passan just did a comparison of Brendan to Bo Bichette!!

[Donn Beach]

“It’s tough to imagine a better fit for our current team than Brendan,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. “His combination of offensive skill, defensive versatility, consistency in performance, baseball instincts, and quality of character line up with what we value most.”

Donovan is supposed to be a team leader kind of a guy as well

[AT Fresno]

So long as he doesn't turn into Jeff Cirillo, Scott Spezio or Chone Figgins at T-Mobile..... I feel relieved. M's give away Williamson, Tai Peete, JurAngelo Cijunte, and a comp 3 pick,....forgive spelling please.... anyway, it feels good. Plenty of ramp for Cole Young and Colt Emerson....we gave up nothing of our "untouchables", need to find a little more power, but maybe it will develop.... and we can watch Arroyo, Montes, Stephenson, Farmelo, Celestin,etc, Sloan and Anderson continue to develop as prospects. Lots to watch this year....Donovan is a fringe all star who provides a solid lead off player and tremendous versatility in the field (2nd, 3rd, SS, LF, RF). He's likely a 115-125 War, generally affordable for two years and he blocks no one. Let's go to war with this roster....

[Donn Beach]

SoB targeted Donovan at the very beginning of the off season. Thought it was an interesting idea then and here we are, kinda full circle. So if leadoff gets credit for the Milton Bradley trade SoB gets credit for Donovan

[Sexymarinersfan]

So long as he doesn't turn into Jeff Cirillo, Scott Spezio or Chone Figgins at T-Mobile..... I feel relieved. M's give away Williamson, Tai Peete, JurAngelo Cijunte, and a comp 3 pick,....forgive spelling please.... anyway, it feels good. Plenty of ramp for Cole Young and Colt Emerson....we gave up nothing of our "untouchables", need to find a little more power, but maybe it will develop.... and we can watch Arroyo, Montes, Stephenson, Farmelo, Celestin,etc, Sloan and Anderson continue to develop as prospects. Lots to watch this year....Donovan is a fringe all star who provides a solid lead off player and tremendous versatility in the field (2nd, 3rd, SS, LF, RF). He's likely a 115-125 War, generally affordable for two years and he blocks no one. Let's go to war with this roster....

Donovan is very consistent year to year and he is elite (or near elite) in contact/on base skills. A low OBP would be truly bizarre and inexplicable for him. TMobile is usually a lot more unkind to hitters who sell out for power (like Geno). Also the Mariners lineup has suffered a lot in recent years from poor builds and hitting philosophy as much as the home park factor. I”m not saying it isn’t a thing, but I think we’re starting to see that you can offset it with a tweak in approach and that there are types of hitters who’s skillset is better suited for the park (Josh Naylor for instance). Brendan Donovan has a perfect profile for TMobile, and the Mariners have targeted him very specifically because of that. Not to mention the fact that he solves a bunch of questions and problems for us defensively over the next 2 years.

[Sexymarinersfan]

Happy to see Williamson gone. It was a small sample size, but he didn't look like he was adjusting to MLB pitching.

Let's hope Donovan's body holds out - it looks like he's been injury-prone. Dude rakes when he's healthy, and he'll be a solid addition to the IF. As long as he can play a full season, I'll consider this a sweet deal (depending, of course, who we had to give up besides Williamson).

And per Bob Nightengale:

Once the medicals are cleared and the Brendan Donovan trade becomes official, here's the Mariners' top of lineup:

Brendan Donovan: 2025 All Star
Julio Rodríguez: 2022, 2023, 2025 All Star
Cal Raleigh: 2025 All Star
Josh Naylor: 2024 All Star
Randy Arozarena: 2023, 2025 All Star

I think the Donovan add is underrated, as is the Mariners offseason in general. I see the Yanks, Jays, and M’s as pretty close on paper. I am a little worried about pitching depth, but I actually believe this is a better lineup than what the M’s brought into the playoffs last year. Definitely less pop, but better on base/contact skills, better defense, and less injury risk. Besides that, there are about 6 guys who have a better than average shot at a bounce back or breakout and you really only need 1 or 2 of them to pop and suddenly this lineup very long and formidable.

The Mariners lineup has had a bit of a one-trick pony problem in the Dipoto era until recently. Dangerous, but manageable with the right approach. Lots of loud contact and decent speed, with way too many strikeouts and not enough walks. Donovan, Naylor, and Refsnyder are the perfect types of hitters to plug those holes and keep opposing pitchers from carving it up. Obviously Cal is Cal, but if Julio Rodríguez ever figures out how to sustain his better stretches over a whole season, this team could lead the AL in scoring while playing half of their games at the worst hitters park in MLB. Not saying it’s gonna happen, but the pieces are in place for something like that I’d argue.

Fangraphs ZIPS had Seattle down for most wins in the AL predicted for 2026. That was a month or so ago which may have changed. They are bringing back the same team minus a little power that fought the Blue Jays to a Game 7 ALCS. If their rotation can stay healthy I don’t see why they couldn’t be #1 but definitely say Top 3 in the AL.

Some luck with health in our excellent starting rotation and good enough bullpen, and WE – COULD – JUST – BE – THE – TEAM to lose to the Dodgers in the World Series. Life is good.

[Sexymarinersfan]

“It’s tough to imagine a better fit for our current team than Brendan,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. “His combination of offensive skill, defensive versatility, consistency in performance, baseball instincts, and quality of character line up with what we value most.”

Donovan is supposed to be a team leader kind of a guy as well

FGDC Projections

PLAYER wRC+, WAR/PA
Donovan 116, 2.6/581

Cole Young 99, 1.4/399
Ben Williamson 91, 1.2/343
Leo Rivas 93 0.6/175

[Donn Beach]

The clubs were in negotiations as far back as last season and then again shortly after the World Series and into the General Managers Meetings in November and Winter Meetings in December, per sources

[mostonmike]

“Born in Würzburg, Germany, and raised in Enterprise, Alabama,”

Ugh. I hate him already.