Height
5'11"
Weight
210 lbs
Age
29
College
South Alabama
Experience
4 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsC+
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 494 | 0.28232637 | 41 | 203 | 0.7744527 | 15 | 500 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$5.8M
Guaranteed
$3.5M
AAV
$5.8M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
The Mariners' one-year, $5.8M commitment to Brendan Donovan represents a prudent if unspectacular move that earns a C+ CVI grade. Donovan profiles as a solid starter at second base with decent versatility, making this deal reasonable market value for his production tier, though hardly a steal given his limited ceiling. At $5.8M AAV, Seattle is paying appropriately for a player who should deliver roughly 2-3 WAR if healthy, but they're not getting the kind of surplus value that defines shrewd roster construction. The short-term nature works in the Mariners' favor, allowing them flexibility as their farm system develops and avoiding long-term risk on a player whose offensive upside appears capped. For a team still searching for that final piece to complement their strong pitching staff, Donovan fills a need without blocking prospects or constraining future payroll flexibility. This is the type of competent, middle-tier signing that keeps a roster functional but rarely moves the championship needle—solid value execution that reflects realistic expectations rather than game-changing ambition.
Performance Analysis
Brendan Donovan grades as an All-Star caliber performer among MLB second basemen, earning a B+ Performance grade. He is hitting with a 0.282 batting average and a 0.772 OPS (near the league average of .720) this season. With 40 home runs and 202 RBI through 492 games (a 13-HR, 67-RBI pace over a full season), he brings limited power to the lineup. Brendan also contributes 15 stolen bases, adding a baserunning element to his profile. As a prime-age veteran at 29, Brendan is a key contributor for the Mariners. A 492-game sample provides high confidence in this grade.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 4/8 | @ TEX | L 0-3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ TEX | L 2-3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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