This required its own thread? His defense is what pops out at you? He's so mediocre but he's the player so many teams want.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:04 pm I like Brendan Donovan and his grit but I think he is just a decent 2nd basemen but not a great one. I have seen 2 throws to home in the last couple of months trying to catch a runner scoring from 3rd but failing when he should have went for the sure outs. I have watched him flub routine ground balls this year.
I still think he is a decent 2b but far from a really good defensive 2 basemen like many people think.
Donavan defense overrated
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Re: Donavan defense overrated
Re: Donavan defense overrated
I don't think you were force to read it or respond to it.Bad14 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 18:48 pmThis required its own thread? His defense is what pops out at you? He's so mediocre but he's the player so many teams want.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:04 pm I like Brendan Donovan and his grit but I think he is just a decent 2nd basemen but not a great one. I have seen 2 throws to home in the last couple of months trying to catch a runner scoring from 3rd but failing when he should have went for the sure outs. I have watched him flub routine ground balls this year.
I still think he is a decent 2b but far from a really good defensive 2 basemen like many people think.
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Re: Donavan defense overrated
IMHO, Donovan is better at 3B than 2B.
Quick first step but no speed. Had throwing arm problems last year, I think.
Quick first step but no speed. Had throwing arm problems last year, I think.
Re: Donavan defense overrated
He is seriously an ok player. But the Cards and fans way overrated him. He is definitely not an all- star, and like the last 15 attempts, he is not a lead off hitter. One job, get on base, nope.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:04 pm I like Brendan Donovan and his grit but I think he is just a decent 2nd basemen but not a great one. I have seen 2 throws to home in the last couple of months trying to catch a runner scoring from 3rd but failing when he should have went for the sure outs. I have watched him flub routine ground balls this year.
I still think he is a decent 2b but far from a really good defensive 2 basemen like many people think.
Re: Donavan defense overrated
So if your not gold glove you are not a good defender? There are some unreasonable mental giants on here. Look at the whole package. He plays a steady 2nd and can play multiple other positions well. Good hitter.
There are so many other problems on this team. Why in the heck are you worried about Donovan?
There are so many other problems on this team. Why in the heck are you worried about Donovan?
Re: Donavan defense overrated
You mean "forced"? Should have finished school.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 20:12 pmI don't think you were force to read it or respond to it.Bad14 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 18:48 pmThis required its own thread? His defense is what pops out at you? He's so mediocre but he's the player so many teams want.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:04 pm I like Brendan Donovan and his grit but I think he is just a decent 2nd basemen but not a great one. I have seen 2 throws to home in the last couple of months trying to catch a runner scoring from 3rd but failing when he should have went for the sure outs. I have watched him flub routine ground balls this year.
I still think he is a decent 2b but far from a really good defensive 2 basemen like many people think.
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Re: Donavan defense overrated
Not worried, just think many teams would want a piece like him to help solidify a potential possible championship team, vs a weak (donkey) Cards team. Trade high. He's not one you build aroundJatalk wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 20:53 pm So if your not gold glove you are not a good defender? There are some unreasonable mental giants on here. Look at the whole package. He plays a steady 2nd and can play multiple other positions well. Good hitter.
There are so many other problems on this team. Why in the heck are you worried about Donovan?
Re: Donavan defense overrated
The arm is adequate for 2b and LF.hmoss859 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:28 pmJust because he can play multiple positions does not earn One a utility GG, the 2022 award was a giftLewisL wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:17 pmWelp.....he actually did win the utility GG in 2022, with 2B position being his most games played at.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:08 pmListening nightly to Carey and Thompson I think I must be watching a gold gloverBasil Shabazz wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:06 pmI don't recall anyone trying to make him out to be a GG caliber 2B.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:04 pm I like Brendan Donovan and his grit but I think he is just a decent 2nd basemen but not a great one. I have seen 2 throws to home in the last couple of months trying to catch a runner scoring from 3rd but failing when he should have went for the sure outs. I have watched him flub routine ground balls this year.
I still think he is a decent 2b but far from a really good defensive 2 basemen like many people think.
He has limited range and a rag arm
It does not play well anywhere else.
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Re: Donavan defense overrated
Adequate...the high bar to be on the Cards and considered indespensibleMelville wrote: ↑08 Aug 2025 08:40 amThe arm is adequate for 2b and LF.hmoss859 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:28 pmJust because he can play multiple positions does not earn One a utility GG, the 2022 award was a giftLewisL wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:17 pmWelp.....he actually did win the utility GG in 2022, with 2B position being his most games played at.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:08 pmListening nightly to Carey and Thompson I think I must be watching a gold gloverBasil Shabazz wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:06 pmI don't recall anyone trying to make him out to be a GG caliber 2B.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:04 pm I like Brendan Donovan and his grit but I think he is just a decent 2nd basemen but not a great one. I have seen 2 throws to home in the last couple of months trying to catch a runner scoring from 3rd but failing when he should have went for the sure outs. I have watched him flub routine ground balls this year.
I still think he is a decent 2b but far from a really good defensive 2 basemen like many people think.
He has limited range and a rag arm
It does not play well anywhere else.

Re: Donavan defense overrated
Based on where the organization is at right now, you are not wrong.....scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2025 08:45 amAdequate...the high bar to be on the Cards and considered indespensibleMelville wrote: ↑08 Aug 2025 08:40 amThe arm is adequate for 2b and LF.hmoss859 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:28 pmJust because he can play multiple positions does not earn One a utility GG, the 2022 award was a giftLewisL wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:17 pmWelp.....he actually did win the utility GG in 2022, with 2B position being his most games played at.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:08 pmListening nightly to Carey and Thompson I think I must be watching a gold gloverBasil Shabazz wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:06 pmI don't recall anyone trying to make him out to be a GG caliber 2B.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:04 pm I like Brendan Donovan and his grit but I think he is just a decent 2nd basemen but not a great one. I have seen 2 throws to home in the last couple of months trying to catch a runner scoring from 3rd but failing when he should have went for the sure outs. I have watched him flub routine ground balls this year.
I still think he is a decent 2b but far from a really good defensive 2 basemen like many people think.
He has limited range and a rag arm
It does not play well anywhere else.![]()
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Re: Donavan defense overrated
The Band of Excellence. All teams have an internal standard, then there’s the league Band.Melville wrote: ↑08 Aug 2025 08:52 amBased on where the organization is at right now, you are not wrong.....scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2025 08:45 amAdequate...the high bar to be on the Cards and considered indespensibleMelville wrote: ↑08 Aug 2025 08:40 amThe arm is adequate for 2b and LF.hmoss859 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:28 pmJust because he can play multiple positions does not earn One a utility GG, the 2022 award was a giftLewisL wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:17 pmWelp.....he actually did win the utility GG in 2022, with 2B position being his most games played at.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:08 pmListening nightly to Carey and Thompson I think I must be watching a gold gloverBasil Shabazz wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:06 pmI don't recall anyone trying to make him out to be a GG caliber 2B.Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:04 pm I like Brendan Donovan and his grit but I think he is just a decent 2nd basemen but not a great one. I have seen 2 throws to home in the last couple of months trying to catch a runner scoring from 3rd but failing when he should have went for the sure outs. I have watched him flub routine ground balls this year.
I still think he is a decent 2b but far from a really good defensive 2 basemen like many people think.
He has limited range and a rag arm
It does not play well anywhere else.![]()
Although not n the same level, they contain many similar names.
Re: Donavan defense overrated
What kind of "trade high" do you think these many teams would offer for such a limited, overrated, scrappy guy with little power and middling speed?scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2025 08:34 amNot worried, just think many teams would want a piece like him to help solidify a potential possible championship team, vs a weak (donkey) Cards team. Trade high. He's not one you build aroundJatalk wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 20:53 pm So if your not gold glove you are not a good defender? There are some unreasonable mental giants on here. Look at the whole package. He plays a steady 2nd and can play multiple other positions well. Good hitter.
There are so many other problems on this team. Why in the heck are you worried about Donovan?
Re: Donavan defense overrated
I wish they had another 7 to put in the field like Donovan.12xu wrote: ↑08 Aug 2025 09:06 amWhat kind of "trade high" do you think these many teams would offer for such a limited, overrated, scrappy guy with little power and middling speed?scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2025 08:34 amNot worried, just think many teams would want a piece like him to help solidify a potential possible championship team, vs a weak (donkey) Cards team. Trade high. He's not one you build aroundJatalk wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 20:53 pm So if your not gold glove you are not a good defender? There are some unreasonable mental giants on here. Look at the whole package. He plays a steady 2nd and can play multiple other positions well. Good hitter.
There are so many other problems on this team. Why in the heck are you worried about Donovan?
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Re: Donavan defense overrated
Brendan Donovan is exactly the kind of player you want on a playoff-caliber team. He brings grit, grind, and the kind of work ethic and unselfishness that helps build a winning culture—when he’s in the right role and structure.
He’s an average to slightly above-average defender at four positions, and he could probably handle a fifth if needed at first base.
Bottom line: I’m glad we have him. But I’d still trade him for the right return—because we’re not yet at the level where his value fully translates. Right now, he’s being treated like a cornerstone. And when you build on a cornerstone like Donovan, you’re not building a mansion—you’re propping up a mobile home.
He’s an average to slightly above-average defender at four positions, and he could probably handle a fifth if needed at first base.
Bottom line: I’m glad we have him. But I’d still trade him for the right return—because we’re not yet at the level where his value fully translates. Right now, he’s being treated like a cornerstone. And when you build on a cornerstone like Donovan, you’re not building a mansion—you’re propping up a mobile home.
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Re: Donavan defense overrated
ESPN has him rated 10th as second bademen. Is that over rated? Where would you put him?Decker57 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2025 15:04 pm I like Brendan Donovan and his grit but I think he is just a decent 2nd basemen but not a great one. I have seen 2 throws to home in the last couple of months trying to catch a runner scoring from 3rd but failing when he should have went for the sure outs. I have watched him flub routine ground balls this year.
I still think he is a decent 2b but far from a really good defensive 2 basemen like many people think.
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Re: Donavan defense overrated
I'm more worried that Donovan has been awful since May 30 (.225 / .309 / .328 / .637)
He's been one of the worst starting players in baseball for over half the season.
He's been one of the worst starting players in baseball for over half the season.