Pura Vida wrote: ↑17 Dec 2025 20:15 pm
BleedingBleu wrote: ↑17 Dec 2025 19:20 pm
Pura Vida wrote: ↑17 Dec 2025 18:41 pm
BleedingBleu wrote: ↑17 Dec 2025 11:09 am
Because his actual advanced statistics today don’t align with his accolades from 4 years ago?
I’d be curious how one qualifies for the Utility Player Gold Glove? Sounds like the competition is mediocre at best…
Considering the DH in both leagues, a Utility GG is in order. Any GG is a symbol of excellence no matter the positions. He won as a Rookie in 2022. He is an excellent RF, LFer. When our outfield is a MESS, put him out there in LF and let the rookie play second. And in this salary dump, he is inexpensive. He plays the game the right way and that is good for "the rebuild" to rub off on the rookies.
You think he’s an excellent outfielder? He has no range.
Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and OAA both reflect that he gets to most routine balls, but doesn’t expand his zone like elite defenders. Also, his Arm Strength Is Only Average.
Why do you think the interested teams are all looking at him to play 2nd?
For the record, he won the utility GG for his play at 2nd and LF. His strength of the two is 2nd, hence the interest. But in the Cards case they want the rookie at 2nd...fine. Donovan's bat more than helps the team aside from his defense. Better than any current OFer on the roster. What's not to like?
Yet, he somehow won it over Tommy Edman. As stated earlier, Donovan’s advanced stats show his defense is mediocre because of range and arm strength. In 2022, Donovan actually played more games at 3rd (31G, 189.0 Inn) than Left (19G, 143.0 Inn). If you want to argue which positional play won him the Utility GG, it was Third (9 tot, 7 Rdrs). He was… wait for it… mediocre at 2nd (-1 tot, 0 Rdrs).
2022 Tommy Edman was exceptional at 2B (89G, 614.2 Inn, 6 Rtot, 12 Rdrs) and Shortstop (80G, 622.0 Inn, 3 Rtot, 6 Rdrs). 2022 Edman was basically punished because he was a substantially better fielder at positions where defense is prioritized. There is no other reason to award Donnie the 2022 GG over Tommy other than the fact Brendan played more games at non-premium positions. As we’d later discover, Tommy is one hell of a Centerfielder, too (2023 - 42G, 310.2 Inn, 3 Rtot, 2 Rdrs).
Look,
this isn’t about hating on Brendan Donovan, but he is a “Super UT” and that’s a luxury for a good team. The 2025 Cardinals were not a good team and there’s nothing to suggest the 2026 team will be any better. Donovan’s value is at its peak, and if you can get multiple Top Prospects, you
do it. No sport anywhere will you find a Bench Player valued over a Starter.
Do you want to keep Nolan Arenado? Arenado is still capable of
actual Gold Glove Defense. Many consider him the defacto clubhouse leader. You may want him to stick around to cultivate the young JJ Wetherholt while playing on another sub .500 team.
What about Willson Contreras? The Cardinals were Top 10 in collective WAR at First Base, predominantly from Contreras’ play. Do you want to retain a 34 year old Contreras to give fans a reason to come through the turnstiles?
The reality is, this franchise needs better overall players… just about everywhere. Not a positionless above average offensive player who plays mediocre defense just about everywhere.