Seattle Mariners fans are riding a rollercoaster of emotions this offseason. Big names are gone, promising new talent is arriving, and the shadows of past mistakes loom large. Every move is under a microscope, and the stakes could not be higher. Will the Mariners finally hit on the right mix of talent, or are they about to repeat history? From cautious optimism to lingering doubts, this offseason feels like a high-stakes experiment, and all eyes are on Brendan Donovan and Jose A. Ferrer.
It’s easy to take a pessimistic view of the Mariners’ offseason. Losing Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suárez—two proven stars whose presence on the field was undeniable—was a blow. Their departures leave gaps both offensively and defensively, and for fans, that’s a lot to digest.
That said, there are reasons for cautious optimism. Re-signing Josh Naylor was a meaningful win, providing the team with stability and experience. On top of that, the two major acquisitions have the potential to significantly impact the roster. Brendan Donovan addresses a key need as both a versatile infielder and a leadoff hitter. Jose A. Ferrer brings solid control and closer-caliber stuff from the left side, adding depth and potential to Seattle’s bullpen.
The upside for both players is clear. Donovan has the potential to be the perfect table-setter for stars like Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez while providing elite defensive versatility across multiple positions. Ferrer could emerge as an All-Star-level setup man, taking pressure off Andrés Muñoz and solidifying late-game situations. If both hit their ceilings, the Mariners could have addressed critical gaps and improved on multiple fronts.
However, it’s impossible to ignore the cautionary tales of the past. Adam Frazier and Gregory Santos are names that still sting for Mariners fans. These two were once hyped as high-upside acquisitions, only to see those expectations crumble due to poor performance and injuries. The Mariners’ current strategy with Donovan and Ferrer bears a striking resemblance to those past experiments.
Right now, the team is selling Donovan as a consistent hitter and versatile defender who “fits like a glove,” while Ferrer is promoted for his strike-throwing and raw stuff despite less-than-stellar results. It’s a familiar narrative. When the Mariners acquired Frazier in November 2021, GM Jerry Dipoto described him as a “proven, versatile, well-rounded player.” Frazier had just come off an All-Star season, showing strong bat-to-ball skills and defensive range at second base and left field.
Reality, however, proved less forgiving. Frazier followed his .305 average and 4.0 rWAR season in 2021 with a dismal .238 average and 0.9 rWAR in 2022—a downturn from which his career has never fully recovered. Santos’ story was similar: highly touted for his 98th-percentile fastball velocity and elite metrics, he was plagued by injuries and inconsistency. Over two seasons, he pitched just 16 games, posting a 5.02 ERA with more walks than strikeouts, ultimately being non-tendered by the Mariners.
Donovan and Ferrer are, in some ways, better-positioned than their predecessors. Donovan is younger and more established than Frazier was in 2021, and Ferrer has considerably more major league experience than Santos had when he joined the Mariners. Those factors could help them avoid the same pitfalls.
Yet, the risks remain. Bat-to-ball hitters like Donovan are always vulnerable to bad luck, and increased exposure to left-handed pitching could expose weaknesses. Ferrer, despite his theoretical swing-and-miss potential, has struck out just 7.7 batters per nine innings in the majors, which leaves some doubt about his ability to dominate hitters consistently.
For Mariners fans, it’s a season full of both hope and trepidation. If Donovan and Ferrer rise to the occasion, the Mariners could have made moves that redefine their roster and boost their playoff chances. But if history repeats itself and they falter like Frazier and Santos, the team could be in for another tough campaign. All eyes are on these two players, and the margin for error is razor-thin.