The Donovan criticism is off base. He’s only 29, had a 4 year track record of performing when on the field, and has a 146 wRc+ despite recent struggles. On April 17 he’s a steal, now we’re questioning him as the signature offseason move? That’s hindsight analysis.
But for a team that came within eight outs of their first pennant and lost some real impact talent—the 2025 versions of Geno and Polo—Donovan didn't completely fill that gap.
On top of only having ever played 130 games in a season once, he's also coming off the sports hernia surgery that's nagging him now.
None of these are new issues. He's a very solid player when he's on the field but this is kind of the top of the Mariners' market (since Castillo) and you can see it doesn't always work out perfectly.
He'll be helpful once he's back in a month or so but after a mere 25 games in a Mariners uniform, his job is now a super-utility man with load management concerns. It's just not a great outcome for, again, the biggest offseason acquisition.
The Donovan criticism is off base. He’s only 29, had a 4 year track record of performing when on the field, and has a 146 wRc+ despite recent struggles. On April 17 he’s a steal, now we’re questioning him as the signature offseason move? That’s hindsight analysis.
That's definitely a fair complaint on your part.
But for a team that came within eight outs of their first pennant and lost some real impact talent—the 2025 versions of Geno and Polo—Donovan didn't completely fill that gap.
On top of only having ever played 130 games in a season once, he's also coming off the sports hernia surgery that's nagging him now.
None of these are new issues. He's a very solid player when he's on the field but this is kind of the top of the Mariners' market (since Castillo) and you can see it doesn't always work out perfectly.
He'll be helpful once he's back in a month or so but after a mere 25 games in a Mariners uniform, his job is now a super-utility man with load management concerns. It's just not a great outcome for, again, the biggest offseason acquisition.
Thanks Colin. I should have added on my comment how much I enjoyed the Colt article and your writing in general.
Oh you’re fine, man. Thanks for reading!