[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen cut Messenger, Donovan, Palmer
Today the Maassluis Merchantmen released wide receiver Santiago Messenger, defensive end Trent Donovan and linebacker Alec Palmer. Contrary to earlier releases in pre-season, all three had been with the time much longer and last season each had their specific roles on the team. The moves opened the door for the Merchantmen to agree terms with All IHOF safety Devon Farrell on a contract extension through the 2098 season.

30-year old Santiago Messenger is listed as a wide receiver, but his last reception was in 2091. Instead, Messenger was the Merchantmen's kickoff returner for six straight seasons. He was discovered as an undrafted rookie in 2088 and until he showed up from practice out of shape in the middle of pre-season, the team decided to move on and hand the duties to fourth year former second round pick Rickey Lyle and rookie Keegan Cosby.

30-year old Alec Palmer is listed as an outside linebacker, but in reality wasn't used on defense. Palmer was the Merchantmen's gunner for the past 5 seasons. He was picked up in 2088 as an undrafted rookie and saw some action that rookie season due to injuries of other linebackers. In his second season he was promoted to the gunner role.

26-year old Trent Donovan leaves the Merchantmen for the second time in his career. In 2091 the linebacker was signed as an undrafted rookie and moved to defensive end, but failed to make the opening day 53-men roster. Late in the season, he was signed again, making him a restricted free agent for the 2092 off-season. The Merchantmen signed him to a two-year deal, but Donovan spent the entire 2092 season inactive behind the 4 returning defensive ends. In 2093 his contract was extended with another year and that season was was put into the rotation after retirement of Andy Russell. This off-season Donovan got his payday, getting a contract fitting with his rol: $30M over 4 years. But a cap mishap turned things around, bringing back Devon Farrell was more important and with the talented D-Line group, Donovan was the was logical sacrifice. Donovan walks away with a $4M signing bonus, but misses out on the $6.38M base salary for those four seasons.