Lost seasons should scare Mariners off planning around Brendan Donovan, Matt Brash

The Seattle Mariners' season isn't over yet, but Michael Arroyo's promotion on Sunday felt vaguely like the raising of a white flag. If they are indeed looking ahead to 2027, we need to talk about the latest on Matt Brash and Brendan Donovan and the implications for the future.

The Mariners confirmed everyone's worst fears for Brash on Friday, announcing that the righty reliever has been shut down due to the bothersome inflammation in his right lat. Donovan may yet return from a concussion that has kept him out since August 21, yet his progress is only "incremental." With 18 games left, it's natural to wonder if he could also be headed for a shutdown.

When healthy, Donovan posted an excellent .425 OBP out of the leadoff spot. Brash was his typically excellent self when he was able to take the mound, with a 0.54 ERA. That these two have appeared in just 39 and 20 games, respectively, amounts to major blows to an offense and bullpen that have been major weaknesses.

If you're an optimist, you can view what's gone wrong with these two in 2026 as a bad luck bill that could be paid off next year. With good health in 2027, Donovan and Brash could give the Mariners what they were supposed to get from them this year, resulting in a rising tide that lifts all boats.

How the Mariners' plans must change after Brendan Donovan and Matt Brash's injury nightmares

Yet given the circumstances, it behooves the Mariners to be pessimistic as they fine-tune their plans for 2027. They simply can't count on Donovan or Brash to be a key player next year.

As awesome as Brash is when he's able to pitch, he missed all of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery and has appeared in fewer games since his return (73) than he appeared in throughout all of 2023 (78). And while there is the caveat that his concussion is a pure fluke injury, Donovan has likewise often battled injuries in recent years. In total, he's played in just 64 percent of all possible games since the start of the 2023 season.

If Brash can't be counted on to be the guy setting up for Andrés Muñoz, the Mariners will need to consider other setup men this winter. There could be potential in-house solutions, such as converting Bryce Miller from a starter to a reliever. It's otherwise looking like a strong class of free agents to dip into, including David Bednar, Adrian Morejon, Bryan Abreu and Pete Fairbanks.

The Donovan side is where things are more complicated, as he could begin the offseason penciled in at either third base or left field. Since left field is Arroyo's most viable long-term position, third base is more likely. And even then, the Mariners should feel uncomfortable on account of Donovan's poor defense at the hot corner and their apparent preference to use him in a super-utility role.

Third base options on the open market will be slim, so there could be sense in re-signing J.P. Crawford with a plan to play him exclusively at third in deference to Colt Emerson at shortstop. There is otherwise the trade market. Could the Mariners afford Matt Chapman? Could they pry loose Max Muncy? Heck, maybe José Ramírez?

We're just spit-balling here, precisely because it's all anyone can do until the season is over and pieces start falling into place. Assuming the Mariners (fingers crossed and all, but still) miss the playoffs, the first order of business will be to determine who'll even be part of the shot-calling process. Dan Wilson seems doomed. Jerry Dipoto might be, too.

What this year has nonetheless made clear is that the Mariners can't simply run it back in 2027. If that means downgrading what Donovan and Brash mean to the team, then so be it.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow