DEC. 19: It’s “believed” the Nationals and Twins are willing to go to four years for Donaldson, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription link). The Dodgers and Braves are still in the hunt, per Rosenthal, though he notes both teams could be hesitant to go to the four-year length to land Donaldson.
DEC. 16: Ever since they watched star third baseman Anthony Rendon depart, the Nationals have been rumored to be pressing hard for Josh Donaldson as a replacement. The club’s willingness to spend appears to be driving the market for Donaldson, an older but still outstanding player in his own right.
Whether or not there’s a formal offer on the table isn’t known. But the Nats are “aggressive” in their pursuit of Donaldson, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). Indeed, the team is prepared to bid upwards of $90MM on a four-year term, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter).
MLBTR had predicted a $25MM average annual value for Donaldson, but anticipated he would only be able to secure that over a three-year guarantee. All indications are that Donaldson will have lengthier offers to consider, though it remains to be seen whether he will get to nine-figure territory.
Donaldson more than made good on his one-year deal last winter with the Braves, who are among the other pursuers. He blistered the ball (50.0% hard-hit rate, 92.9 mph average exit velocity), drew a ton of walks (15.2% BB rate), and played great defense (especially in the eyes of DRS, which had him at +15 runs). It was a compelling campaign from a player who has already proven over multiple years that he’s capable of elite production, though teams have no doubt not forgotten that Donaldson is now 34 years of age and dealt with major leg injuries in the prior two seasons.
4 years is risky for a 34 year old third baseman.
What’s the next best alternative to replacing Rendon’s production?
Short term signing anda trade for a 3B prospect to bring up in a year or two….
Well you aren’t getting Donaldson for 1-2, so what’s plan C?
JD will either sign with the Nats or Braves. 100% fact. Call me a fake psychic if you want but he is weighing only those 2 options. The Nats offer the most money and the Braves are the place he really wants to be. He has already said he prefers the Braves if the contract is equal with any team. His hope is that the Braves match the top offer to make it an easy decision for him. He already owns a family compound and bought his mom a brand new car a few days ago. I hope he follows his heart and stays with the team he wants to play for the most. It’s questionable whether the Nats championship makes them better than the Braves now (considering the Braves won the NL East outright by smashing the Nats all year even when they had Rendon). What is not questionable is which team has a brighter future. The Nats are running out if talent and running into the financial wall they built out of deferred contracts. The Braves are only getting better and the Nats are only getting worse. Go where your heart tells you Bringer Of Rain. Atlanta loves you.
fact
/fakt/
noun
a thing that is known or proved to be true.
Not going to call you a fake psychic, you just don’t know what fact means.
At this point in the offseason it is silly to talk about which teams is better. The rosters are still being built. I agree that are farm has been used to it’s limit at this point but it is still not empty. HTe whole point of staying below the Lux Tax this year was to reset any potential costs should we exceed in year or two (I’ve got one word for you… Soto) .
But money will loosen up a bit when the MASN dispute is finally settled. That money is where the deferred contracts are being funded from. SO that hit you imagine down may not be as bad as you were thinking.
the road .
As for where Josh desires…
I think he’ll be happy where ever he lands
“Smashing the Nats all year” – Braves were 11-8 against them. Certainly won the series, just not following where you got “smashing” from – can you explain this bizarre comment?
And although the Braves won the division, Nats had the higher Pythagorean win total. Again, Braves won the division, but you’re making it sound like the Braves are so much better. What is making you feel that way? It’s definitey not the facts so I’m wondering what it is.
“Smashing the Nats all year” – Braves were 11-8 against them. Certainly won the series, just not following where you got “smashing” from – can you explain this bizarre comment?
And although the Braves won the division, Nats had the higher Pythagorean win total. Again, Braves won the division, but you’re making it sound like the Braves are so much better. What is driving that thought process?
I could have swore the Nats just won a World Series. Yeah. They suck.
The braves don’t spend like big market teams therefore they’ll never win it all again
Yes you’re right lol
StandUpGuy
“JD will either sign with the Nats or Braves. 100% fact. Call me a fake psychic…”
You’re a fake psychic. You also said that the Yanks would not sign Cole. You said Steinbrenner knew it. You said Yankees fans knew it. You said DOGS knew it. You were flat out wrong. Hope you’ve eaten and puked your hat by now. You should really stop making predictions.
Nats getting worse??? Dude your not all there! You better pray JD doesn’t go to the Nats! Nats are better and they will be good for the the near future!
Lol. Yeah, Soto and Robles and Turner and Kieboom. That’s half their lineup under 25, but sure, Nats are running out of talent
The Braves won or tied all of the season series with the Nats except the first series which was a two game set and before the Braves offense turned it on. They were the better team in the regular season.
Well if they lose Rendon and sign JD then yea they aren’t going to be as good as they were. Rendon had a far superior batting average than JD but the Nats still will be good. That division is and will be highly competitive for years to come.
This is a short-term signing.
Acuna,albies, soroka,riley, pache, waters, anderson, wright,wilson, I can go on and on , the mats young talent, can’t hold a candle to the braves youngsters. No matter who signs jd, the braves are still going to win. All these mats fans here acting all tough with your 1 world championship, out of how many years, even including the exposes, remember one thing, boost while you can bc it ain’t coming again any time soon
DC won the World Series. The Braves season will only be remembered for giving up 10 runs in a playoff game. That pretty much ends all discussion of who presently is on top. Next year everyone starts again. And if you don’t win the World Series no one will care all that much (save if you win the pennant).
The typical protocol is to first win the World Series and then brag on about how awesome you are because you are a fan of that team. Not sure why you’re doing it in reverse.
The Braves have a really good group of young talent in the majors and minors. Can’t people be excited for the future of their team. I’m saying many fans brag about their teams and most don’t win the World Series. The Nats got hot at the right time. Are they talented? Yes. Are they so much superior than the Braves. No not really.
But he bought his mom a car. That’s a fact.
3 year deal
If he really wants to play for the Braves, he should just go play for the Braves. Woul d the Nats want him if he really wanted to be somwhere else?
Go ahead and work a deal for Bryant.
Lmao. And the Braves only managed to win one World Series with 2 hall of Famers in the rotations despite winning the division every year for a decade and a half. Now THAT is a laughable
Three hall of fame pitchers. Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz
Pizza?
Keep Donaldson at 3B for a couple years and then either move him to 1B or trade him. More likely the first.
I believe it’s the Braves with just 1 championship.
3 HOFers in the rotation
Please go back to second grade to get a refresher course on what’s the definition on a fact.
SaberSmuckers- it’s StandUpGuy, he always talks in “facts”, which in his dictionary equates to “a horribly baseless opinion that is not at all factual.”
Hard for me to see why the Twins are not a very legit option for him. They won 102 games last year. He can DH for them in the out years. They have a ton of head room to add players. They have a very strong farm system and a solid core. And they play in a weak division. This whole idea the Braves are better positioned than them to win over the term of the deal isn’t at all clear to me.
And anyone who has spent any time in the Twin Cities knows it is a great place, especially for anyone who likes the outdoors and who doesn’t have to live there from November-February. That and the fact the guy played in Toronto for years means he gets the drill regarding weather anyway. And in the summer? I know he’s a Southern boy, but Minnesota is >>>>>> better from a weather perspective than Atlanta from mid-April through mid-October.
Playing in cold weather vs. living is much different. Having the dome in Toronto made things more tolerable.
Aside from that, I agree with you. Twins would be a very good option for Donaldson.
So owning a family compound and buying your mom a Maserati is a statement that he wants to stay in ATL? He’s a smart guy, by publicly stating that he will stay in ATL if any offer is matched is squarely putting it on a Braves FO that is proud they aren’t signing onto risky contracts. Will it change with Rain Man – time will tell. Part of me wants him to sign with WSH for an overpay that they’re known for, so we can further inflate their budget and hype up the WSH rivalry post-Bryce. Our offense without Donaldson is better than their’s – and he’s not going to equal the production Rendon provided. They don’t have the farm to be able to get Bryant/Arenado or another 3B alternative, without selling it all off. And whatever they do means they still need to address their bullpen, even if finally re-signing Daniel Hudson. Yes, great rotation, but pitiful bullpen and offense still needs a lot of work with corner IF positions still unmanned.
I see all your “young talent” and raise you one Juan Soto who beats all the guys you just named.
Braves should trade with the Cubs for Bryant. The Cubs biggest need is arms for their farm and the Braves have that in spades. They really are a perfect fit for each others needs.
THAT will drive the 3rd base market. The higher the price for Donaldson, the higher the “price” for Bryant.
To me that makes more sense. Why sign JD to a 3-4 year contract when you have Riley coming up in the next year or two. Also Bryant would be a cheaper option at 18.5 million next year. 2021 would be an arbitration year. If they sign JD then I would think Riley might be traded for another rotation arm
Braves fans have given up on Riley because he couldn’t maintain his hot start at the age of 22.
No. Its cause he never figured out sliders
I know, it’s absurd how quickly our fans have given up on a 22 year old bc he needed some time to adjust to MLB pitching. The kid absolutely raked when he first came up, and there is no reason to think he won’t figure things out as he matures. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have JD back, but Riley is a very promising young player, especially considering he has been a plus defender on top of his ridiculous power.
That is a big part of where the Braves are now in their development. the more young players who come in as an asset at their position, the more the Bravos will be able to pick and choose which Marquee FA they sign based on the team specific returns for doing so.. This means they are less bound by the overall market and have a stronger negotiating position.
The ripple effect of this goes out from there.
Not so much that I have given up on him as it is that we are now officially in our window
Hasn’t played enough 3B in the majors to call him a plus defender although he was quite good in the minors but he was terrible in the OF. Analytics & defensive metrics can say what they want blitz the eye test says he is not a long term OF.
The Cubs biggest need is not so much arms for the farm as it is good prospects who are closer to the big leagues than the best guys they have on the farm now. Their best prospects outside of Nico Hoerner have yet to play AA ball. They lack power bats across the farm. They need OF’ers closer to the bigs and pitchers closer to the bigs. Braves do look like they still match up well in all regards though. It looks like the Twins, Yankees, Dodgers and even the Phillies and Nats also could match up well. But I think the Phillies and Nats might need to include a part or two off their major league rosters.
No one has given up on him. AA isn’t handing him the job, as he shouldn’t on a contending team. He has the bat we need, and as AA has pointed out, he’s always struggled the first year at almost each league he’s been promoted to, then the 2nd year excels. He’s gotten the experience and hopefully adjusts to the offspeed, away stuff.
We can still get Bryant from CHC without including Riley. I could see a Wright/Contreras/Inciarte + cash or Wright/Muller/Contreras pkg being intriguing for them.
We are NOT in our window. Being in one’s window, I would assume is we just have a couple of years to win it all. The Braves are just starting. Barring any major injuries, we should be pretty good for 8-10 years.
Really wouldn’t need Riley that much if we had Bryant. He would probably be in the deal. I’d send Newk or Folty, Riley, Camargo, Touki. No to Wright or Muller. We need Chicago to add Kimbrel in the deal. Bryant is just going to be a 1 or 2-year rental anyway. I really think Riley is going to be good. Braves could maybe take Heyward if Chi. eats some of his money. They need a lead-off hitter, send Ender to the Cubs.
Being in your window means you can contend for the World Series by reaching the post season- based on age talent level and team contract status. Winning the division by definition, puts you in your window.
The good news is no one said anything about the size of your window & it looks pretty wide
The next best option to replace Rendon’s production should they fail to sign Josh Donaldson would be trading for Kris Bryant.
Nah…
Haven’t you heard 35 is the new 30 LOL
Ha!
What are your thoughts on 3/60 for a 35 year old catcher?
Has he ever had knee surgery or shoulder issues? Is he quick to second base? Does he play first as well? does he frame pitches well? Call a Good Game?
Need more info
INo said anything about offense at all. Your example was a Catcher. and if a catcher is getting 20MM he dang well better be able to perform well at a lot, if not most of those things I mentioned as well as getting hits and driving in runs.
That was my point
How about a catcher with a .730 career OPS? You paying him $20M per, if all he does is catch 110-120 games, even if he can fill up a nerd spread sheet?
There are very few Catchers who were/are not a liability defensively and maintain those kind of numbers going into the mid thirties. However they do exist. An example would be Pudge Rodriguez. The other issue is how fluid salaries are. Next off season the scale of pay we are talking about will, most likely, be a mute point as the market has moved.
But in the current environment there are reason to do such a deal and reasons not too. But to discuss that we have to know the makeup of the team in question.
This dude must be a Cubs fan. They love talking about Molina’s contract because it makes them feel better about the disaster Theo has created.
Words like disaster are a bit over the top. Theo and Jed have failed to develop any pitching that can contribute and that has led them to sign pitchers. But the roster is hardly a disaster as constructed. The Cubs played around 55 games with Bryant, Schwarber, Rizzo, Baez and Contreras all healthy last year. They won 64% of those games. That isn’t something you’d expect over 162 games, but that is a very strong team when healthy. Thing for them longer term is they can’t sign all those guys – just like Houston won’t be able to nor will the Dodgers be able to.
So what are their choices? Go down the same path as the Phillies and Tigers did and burn the wick all the way down to the candle and then start a rebuild or start a retool now?
The players closest to contributing on the farm were largely sacrificed to go for it in 2016, 2017 and 2018. They do have a collection of good players in the lower minors that look like they are a sound bet to offer contributors starting in 2021 and more so in 2022. But that is still a numbers game as some will work and others won’t. It is hard to assure any guy like Brennan Davis when he’s going to start the year in high A eventually will be a super star even if that is his possible ceiling. So I think they are looking to move a couple of bigger pieces now to supplement that group even further and then waiting for a ton of money to come off the books starting next offseason and really building even more so in 2021.
This whole narrative it is a disaster is way overblown and melodramatic. It is painful in the immediate for sure. But it isn’t that big of a surprise. They climbed the damn mountain and went for it afterwards. There are 25+ teams that would love to put a ring on it and find themselves in a few years where the Cubs are right now.
It is absolutely fair to say they’d be better off with just a couple of more prospects who were ready to help now beyond Alzolay and Hoerner. But that wouldn’t remove the fact they can’t resign all five of the core guys coming up for free agency in 2021 and 2022. And it is no coincidence Lester and others are coming off the books at around the same time. So they’re retrenching in 2020 it would appear. They’ll have about 40 million coming off the books next year and they can keep most of it by moving a couple of the arb guys they don’t envision extending.
Chipper Jones was 39 when he retired….Pay the man his money!!!
Less risky than a 34 year old short stop
3 years 75 mil with a fourth year option for 25 mil and a hefty buy out
Agreed.
I can live with that but how will that money effect a Freeman extension ???
Depends on what Freeman is willing to accept and whether he even is willing not to move into the free agent market. He grew up on the west coast. Who knows if that impacts his thinking in anyway.
He is a current 3B and future 1B. Maybe an overpay in previous years but this hotstove has been cooking up some spicy contracts.
So he starts 2 years and moves across the diamond on year 3.
This guy will busy after year 1.
Twins don’t seemed deterred by age. Nelson Cruz had a monster year with Twins and he’s only a few years under 40! This is a what have you done for me lately league and Donaldson has done quite a lot, lately.
Worse case scenario they play him at 3rd and if he slows down they can move him to DH.
Very true.
The Braves need to drop an offer of 4 yrs and 100 million, and get it done.
They need to, yes. But they seem to be up against it payroll-wise.
I agree. Normally I wouldn’t, but it’s time to take a risk. A 4 year deal isn’t that risky all things considered
Ask the Mets how good the 4/$110 worked for Cespedes
That’s a horrible comparison. Cespedes has been injury prone for years now. Donaldson had one season with injuries. Cespedes is obviously roided up too, which is hell on the body
DTD_ATL
What makes you so sure JD isn’t “roided up”? You can’t be. It’s that simple.
Is it. Donaldson is going to be 84 years old when his 4 year deal runs out. So he may not be hurt but he’ll be using a walker to round the bases.
I think it’s a great comparison. I wasn’t trying to imply that Donaldson would only play 139 games over the course of a four-year contract. My comment was in regards to the fact that “a four-year deal is not risky.” As a Mets fan I can speak to the fact that his contract has created many issues for this team.
He’s vegan. There’s animal byproducts in HGH. Duh.
Seriously tho, I don’t know.
They won’t do it. No payroll flexibility needed to get that deal done!
Get it done. The next 3 years are the prime Max, Stras, Turner years.
Pretty sure Turner would be balking at the notion that in 4 years he would be past his prime.
I’m a Nats fan and I want to get it done too but it’s likely Max already peaked and plausible Stras has too.
Strasburg matured as a pitcher this year. He kept his cool for the first time, staying in the game instead of getting mad and losing concentration. In the past he reverted to his fastball when he was in trouble, so batters waited on it. This year he used all his pitches no matter the situation.
He may be past his peak physically. But there’s a long list of pitchers that get it around 30, and go on to be top producers for years after.
Oh I’m hopeful he’ll be like Max and have a great 32-35. But I’m also being realistic.
I don’t think Max is in decline. He is much more along the lines of a Nolan Ryan/Roger Clemens pitcher… Large Solid Body type, Works out year round generally healthy for most of his career. Is he going to be worth a peak contract next time around? probably not but it wont decline too much either. The real difference will be length of contract.. A two year extension would make Mad Max a Nat for the rest of his career most likely and not hamstring the teams budget.
But that is a subject for a future off season.
Clemens was on roids
Yes I am aware of that. My point was about his base body type and work habits that lead to long term durability, But since you brought up steroids that actually enhances my case because steroids are known to undercut a bodies long term durability with deteriorating bones and joints.
Disclaimer
I am by no means a Clemens fan. I found his on field demeanor obnoxious. I get the competitive thing but he carried it too far on multiple occasions IMMO
Boras calling in favors from his best customers?
Yeah because Boras has had such a terrible winter that he needs to call in favors… Please
OhAzocar87…………..What does Boras have to do with Donaldson? He is represented by MVP Sports Group.
You’ll probably see 1 good year out of a 4 year contract for him. Would only be worth it if he’s the final piece for a WS contender.
Health is the real key here. For that reason I see Nats managers slowly decreasing Donaldson’s usage over the term of the contract but the first two year are butter [assuming health]
He’ll slide over to 1B if health doesn’t work out.
Depends on what is bothering him health wise. He really struggled at the plate in 2018 bc of a calf injury.
he’ll slide over to the IL if health doesn’t work out.
Remember this is Bob Nightengale reporting this.
Chances are he’ll accept a one year deal again. Donaldson is coming off a bad season and needs to re-establish his value first.
Nightengale is a bad reporter and a disgrace to the profession and game.
bad season? lol
No reason to get testy. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and he does get paid to write his down, which implies a certain level of competence
A 4.9 WAR is “bad”?
Bad?????
On what planet is a .900 OPS, 127 OPS+, 6.1 WAR, and 132 wRC+ a bad season?
Oh, I get it. You’re one of those “fans” who only uses batting average to determine a player’s value.
Or 4.9 WAR but still.
Depends on what source you use. His bWAR last year was 6.1. His fWAR was 4.9.
And that is why I hate WAR as a stat…
OK of the reasons
I think he’s implying whatever Nightengale says it’s the opposite.
Pujols is over 40 already.
Any chance you have recently been in a Delorean that may have laid a track of fire when it sped away?
It’s 12/19, not 12/18.
That’s the only way your JD comment makes any sense.
So what that he hit .259? He was 2nd on the Braves in on base percentage, slugging percentage, on base plus slugging, on base plus slugging plus, 3rd in doubles, home runs and runs batted in, 4th in runs scored, hits, total bases and first in walks. By the way, batting average is one of the most, if not the most overrated statistic in baseball.
Post your source for that comment from Nightengale because that really sounds like last offseasons book on Donaldson. Unless you are stating YOUR opinion than your opinion is just stupid. I dont know what a player has to do more than have a .900 OPS and be a gold glove finalists to get in your good graces.
BennyTheBoss said 1 year ago
(there I fixed it)
dont do a 4 year deal, you dont want a 3rd or first baseman pushing 39, case in point, pujols
Pujols has nothing to do with this
the length of that contract was way too long four years is a nice chunk but wont kill if franchise if it doesn’t work
@Amanda2019
He will be 37 at the end of a 4 year deal….not pushing 39.
I guess the minimum amount of research to look that up was a bit too much to ask.
Good research robs from the narrative. Don’t you know that?
The only reason he is not signed is he wants the Braves to match but I don’t see them matching.
I see Kris Bryant in a Braves uniform next year.
Or possibly Kyle Seager.
I think you may be right there my rival friend. Bryant is the next big pivot for most teams. And by no means is it a sure bet the Cubs let him go. But there sure will be a lot of teams kicking the tires on that one about five minutes after Donaldson signs.
As a Diehard Cubs fan Ive said since October Bryant I believe he will be a Brave. The Cubs will probably take less just to free up his salary so they can sign a Nick C. Or #5 starter like Wood.
If AA offered up Fried, Waters and Wilson or another arm it would be a done deal.
Cubsfan73, I totally understand wanting that much, but that’s a steep price for what could only be a year of Bryant. It’s too much for my liking. I’d rather just pay JD and keep the kids. I mean if you trade Fried, you’re Starter shopping, and paying Bryant. That’s surely more than Donaldson’s salary would be.
It’ll be two years of Bryant. I’m sure. Though I wouldn’t be shocked to see any possible deal have a PTBNL that would be determined once the ruling came out whether he had 1 year or 2 years left.
When is the useless Manfred, going to get around to making a call on Bryant service time.
When Boras says Jump!
LMAO
@CubsFan73
The Braves will not trade Fried straight up for Bryant. Not because Bryant is not worth it, but that puts another whole in the rotation. So they are not going to give up a guy they have penciled into the rotation.
Wright and Wilson could both be in play, but I don’t think Atl parts with Pache, Waters, or Anderson. They have been holding onto them like they are gold. Once again I am not saying this is right or wrong. that is just my gut feeling.
A Bryant deal won’t get done until the grievance filed by the MLBPA on his behalf is resolved.
Teams are already well down the road of kicking the tires on all sorts of options. And if the Cubs decide to really field offers on Bryant the bidding may get interesting as the other realistic alternatives sure don’t look all that attractive. Arenado comes with more cost, an opt out after two years and a no trade clause. Seagar was really bad in 2018 and ok in 2019 = risk. Then what? The Phillies seem really interested in jumping over the Braves and Nationals. The Nationals have this big gaping hole in their line up. So do the Braves. The Dodgers have to be a bit itchy to get over the top. The Yankees could improve at 3B. The Twins have moved in on Donaldson and have the pieces to get a deal done if they lose on him. And other teams have suggested they want to get into win now mode. You could try and plug a big 3B hole via the outfield, but none of the remaining FA options look as good as KB in terms of steady production and likely come with more years of commitment. I don’t want to see Bryant traded, but it will be interesting to watch if there are multiple teams at the table with each one being in a slightly different spot in terms of competitive window, pieces to offer, thoughts about how their prospects may be able to help longer term and other problems to try and address.
or what is to keep the nats for trading for bryant and JD going elsewhere
I would imagine the Nats would be less inclined to give up the package it would take for Bryant. Their system isn’t nearly as strong as Atlanta’s. But, yeah it’s possible
well you have to figure if they miss out on donaldson they are looking at a pretty big downgrade @ 3rd and if they plan to stay competitive are going to need to patch it somehow – or get creative
They have a pretty good infield prospect in Carter Kieboom. He’s no Donaldson or Rendon but I believe he’d likely be the 3B if they miss out. Now, I’d agree with you that they‘d like to trade him for Bryant if they do miss out. But other teams may push that price up. I don’t know how much Rizzo is looking to purge from that system. He has quite a few big deals on the payroll as it is. Having an influx of young talent will be crucial to keep the window open longer.
If they don’t match, it’ll be the mother of all stupidity. You absolutely cannot let your strongest division rival steal your clean up hitter over a year of contract.
I really don’t believe they’re up against any payroll wall. I mean if they are, the Smith signing was epically stupid- and I don’t feel Anthopolous is that dumb. A 4th place hitter far outweighs a closer in order of importance
Donaldson Is definitely sitting in the cat bird seat here between the team he wants to go back to and their division rival who just won the WS.. Pay the man AA, he honored your 1 year deal on a walk year and lived up to every single bit of it (other than in the post season but it is what it is..)
Get it done and move on to the trade for another shutdown co-ace for soroka to feed off.
We need another championship or 3 and there hasn’t been a better time than now to strike that match!
The Nationals will offer $25,000 a year over a 3,000 year period.
An annuity you say!
Is it bad that I’m not 100% certain you’re joking? Lol
he is obviously joking – no player would take something their great great great grandkids collect – it is going to be 250k/year over 35 years
4 years 92-4 MM gets it done
I’ve heard that the NL May institute the DH after 2021 season. If that happens, and the Braves give him a 4 year deal, he can play defense for 2 years and then DH the last 2.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the DH in the NL, but I believe that either both leagues should have the DH or neither should. Currently, the DH gives AL teams an unfair advantage in signing elite hitters to long term contracts, so they can DH late in their careers.
Interesting way of looking at it. Never saw it as an advantage but you’re right.
That explains the Nats winning the WS entirely on the road… i guess the Nats had the better DH in Kendrick, and the Astros had the better-hitting pitchers.
Which would also be great for a guy like Kyle Schwarber if he is still with the Cubs or some other National League by the time they adopt the Designated Hitter, whenever that may be.
Kyle Schwarber makes sense here, but Donaldson plays such good defense, does it even apply to him?
Putting the DH in the National League would be a huge mistake by baseball. I can’t get past the fact that all these concerns about pitchers getting hurt while hittin goes right back tot the fact that Pitchers aren’t allowed to hit through most of the developmental years.
The idea that no one wants to see a pitcher hit is flawed as well. The excitement of a Strasburg Home run for Nats fans this years was one of the great moments of this season. And all of this is before you get to the managerial moves that occur in the NL games BECAUSE pitchers hit.
Nobody cared that Strasburg hit a homer. They cared their team hit one. Nobody wants to see a pitcher hit and nobody cares about “baseball strategy” I’m regards to pinch hitting for pitchers
Just for strategic purposes and purity of the game I don’t want to see the DH put in the NL. However the injury issue is more than with the pitchers. It’s being able to give different guys days off while keeping their bat in the lineup. At this point it’s just common sense that AL clubs have an advantage when it comes to roster manipulation. Just keeping some of the overall wear and tear off of all the players is going to benefit the teams and could extend some of these guys careers. In my opinion it’s a lock this is going in.
i Have been saying that for years. Throw in the fact no other professional league in the world still has pitchers hitting. Long over due.
Colorado has reportedly floated Arenado, so I think that’s a potential Gene changing factor in this 3B market for the Donaldson losers and those that miss out on some arms and decide to go a different route.
He got the same deal Rendon did. The Nats didn’t want to pay Rendon that much money. I doubt they want to Pay Arenado that much over that length. I’m not sure if anyone wants to do that and give the Rockies anything interesting in return. I’m sure the Rox don’t want to deal with the optics of trading they’re face of the franchise for nothing either. I don’t see it very likely he goes anywhere this offseason.
Their**
It’s difficult to see that as being real. To trade Arenado Colorado would in effect be admitting that they don’t expect to compete for years to come, and that contract isn’t going to have $240M in value outside of Denver. Compare that to the much smaller commitment for Donaldson and it would difficult for any team to justify the difference.
Consider your comment AFTER JD is off the market.
Sure, fair enough. But also consider how many teams could afford to commit $240M to Arenado and reduce the number to the teams that would actually do it. Not sure anyone’s really left, do you?
Colorado doesn’t care. They sell 65% of their tickets to tourists and people who don’t care who’s playing or winning. LoDo (Lower Downtown Denver) is party Central. Beautiful park in a beautiful city… get effed up and GO!
Sounds like the Nats are willing to overpay just to keep competitive next season. I honestly can’t see any way JD will be worth his salary for at most than 2 years. Those final two will be basically dead salary.
Braves need to resign their franchise player, Freddie Freeman, soon. His current contract is up in 2021. I don’t like the idea of going to four years with JD and having them overlap and create less flexibility for other signings for two years. Bryant for two years, resign Freddie, and play the market again in 2021-2022.
Spot on
As a Nats Fan I am not thrilled about the fourth year. But I also remember how a lot of fans felt about Werth for 7 years. That deal would have been a steal if not for the injuries. As it was I would say we got our value..
We have more bid signing or departure in the next five years as well. So it will be interesting see how that gets managed . But that is not today’s battle. The 2020 roster for both teams is…
Dude don’t worry about Freeman. He isn’t going anywhere. Freeman has said a few times in the past he wants to be a Brave for life and that he had already made more than enough money. Wouldn’t be surprised if he took a pay cut to bring in or keep some talent in Atlanta like Chipper Jones used to.
If the rumors are to be believed that he prefers the Braves, then he should go where he wants. I do agree, Liberty needs to pony up the cash and give him the 4 years. Give him an AAV of $24 – 25 mill. Yes… the last year might be rough, but the Braves will have someone to come up on 3rd base to platoon at the end of the contract. JD brings a lot more than his bat and elite defense, he is a strong clubhouse presence, a fan favorite, and can mentor players like Riley, and even on the offense side other young players coming up. So if Atlanta comes close to matching the Nats or Twins in dollars and gives the 4th year, and he truly wishes to be back in Atlanta as everyone is saying, then he will be with the Braves. If he signs with another team after ATL matches the years and comes at least close to the AAV p/year, then he is after the money. I don’t blame him for that, remember it is a business, and most people would go for the money. Me…. I am hoping Liberty does the right thing and brings him back.
I’d like to see the Braves on Donaldson in this scenario, pivot & sign Ozuna. Then turn to the Giants and offer up Ender Inciarte, Touki Toussaint, Kyle Wright, & Greyson Jenista for Even Longoria & Johnnny Cueto.
Massive overpay by the Braves for old and damaged goods.
However the trade would work out is fine by me, but Longoria & Cueto, you could do worse. But bringing in 2 vets after signing Ozuna…both Longoria & Cueto have 2 years left on there current contracts & paying for 2 players rather than 1 makes complete sense to me. Ozuna can somewhat fill the void by Donaldson
Washington needs carpenter from stl
WA needs carpenter like five holes in the head.
4yrs 90mil to be paid over the next 150 years.
Get ready for another huge Nationals overpay
If Mr. Lerner doesn’t care, why do you?
Another?
Like Jayson Werth-
the signing that lent legitimacy to the next tow years of free agency negotiations and demonstrated the Nats desire to win.
There are so many other examples you can point to over the last decade, particularly any of the long term contracts, that had a chorus of “over payed” when signed..
But you cant judge a contract until it is about3/4 done. and even then you don’t know till it’s over
Nats can have him for 4 years.
John Middleton needs to pony up that cigar money!!! Why did he not give Cole $350 million?!?! Another wasted season. Cole’s arm= magic
Phillies don’t get it. Biggest FELONY fraud!
Lol a big waste of money
Spoken like a true Phillies Fan
Phillies had the 6th largest payroll last season. I don’t think their problem is ponying up cash.
Honestly, the guy the Nats should be targeting to fill the void at 3B is Andjuar. The Yankees would probably be willing to move him.
IF (yea a big IF) the Nats end up having to trade for a third baseman, I think they would be better served to seek a player like Ke’Bryan Hayes or Jonathan India.. This would certainly cost at least one of our 3 MLB ready pitchers and could include The “Say A Kid as well [Micheal A Taylor,. most likely with Voth or Fedde. It would also most likely take some other form of compensation to do but would give the Nats a lot more flexibility this year.
it also means signing a place holder and potentially platooning at third. But the ripple effect is more money for the pen and maybe even a fifth starter signing.
Crustal Ball prediction:
decision by Donaldson will come by Thursday with announcement on Friday.
Good luck to all teams involved
well, you tried.
Braves need to trade for Clevenger
Hope a NLE team gets him! He’s a bubble about to burst!
Jesus 4 years for a 34 year old? Just give the Cubs a few scrub pitchers for Bryant
Maybe something like 4 years 80 million with first 2 years at 25 each and opt out after 2 with last 2 at 15 each should he not choose to opt out
I think the implication is 22-25 per and 4 years – so $88-100m
Padres should be in on this guy , have manny go back to SS
They have some bum named Fernando Tatis Jr penciled in at SS
Seriously? You never heard of a guy names Fernando Tatis, Jr.
It’s not worth it. Whatever it is – not worth it.
What is worth it? Not trying to win a world series? What’s not worth it is giving up your premiere prospects in an un-needed trade when you can just spend some of that moldy money from a new state of the art ballpark and just bring back donaldson where he wants to be. Or you cannot and let your biggest rival get even better, end your divisional streak, and possibly repeat another WS victory.
This reminds me exactly of last year when the Braves needed a pitcher like corbin and “could shop in any Isle” only to watch him go to the nats while they swept the rug under their feet taking annibal and susuki to boot.
It’s not like they’ve stood pat this offseason at all, but at this point you can’t take 2 steps back getting worse by losing your excellent defending 3b, cleanup hitter and Freeman protector to your rival who are right there too.
I’ll predict 4/$92M
He keeps his $23M per year he’s had the last 2 years
If the Braves can’t get JD to sign for 3 years than I say just pivot to a package deal of Hanigar and Seager.
Seager is signed for less money than we are looking to give JD and he is 2 years younger. Plays good defense.
Hanigar gives us an OF cleanup hitter under team control for the next 3 yrs. maybe even get Seattle to throw in a couple bucks to aquire a better prospect.
Riley, Waters & Muller for Hanigar and Seager is a deal Seattle I believe would jump on.
I really hate the Nationals for blowing up price tags on players. Strasburg was enormously overpayed and now they’re going to do it with Donaldson. I should probably be angrier at the Braves for behaving like a middle market team though. Not saying my annoyance is logical. It just is.
Hot Stove action for Christmas, I love it!
Hoping that Donaldson does not pick the Twins, and so should every AL contender. Bomba Squad was pain enough last season, good grief.
If Lindor is traded and its not to the Yankees, then I want him on an NL club where he can’t do much damage to us. He’s a freaking beast.
Of course the Yankees want a free ride to WS.
I’m gonna laugh so hard if it ends up being The Twins!!!You know, the team that actually hit the most HRs last year?? Our pitching might not be record- breaking deals, but our hitting will be sick. I don’t care who your precious pitcher is…too bad you spent too much on your pipedreams!
Heard about the Yankee that spent too much without winning a WS Title? It could happen!
Probably to keep the Braves from retaining him and will pull out as a ‘close second’.
If the Nationals and the Twins are willing to go four years then the Braves should too or more on the plan B. If they really have a plan B. And who knows what Rangers are going to do.
I said at the beginning of the Hot Stove season that too many teams had holes at third and starting pitchers and there isn’t enough quality on the free agent market to fill them all. That’s an obvious statement. Some teams are going to be left out. That’s just the way it is.
Is 4 years an overpay for Donaldson? Probably. But who else is left?
Hey, the Nats will pull the trigger, since they are trying to repeat. They will also get Zim back, and then I hope D. Hudson just to pretty much say thanks.
Batting 7th and playing 3b……. Camargo.
Am I the only one who’s going to point out the fact that Donaldson is a HUGE step down from Rendon for almost the same money, annually speaking?
If Donaldson’s WORTH $27M then Rendon’s worth $50M. The divide between them is THAT significant. And then you factor in the ages.
If the Nats could have kept Rendon for 7/$245M and instead, they pivot to 4/$108M for Donaldson, that would be a borderline worst-case-scenario move to me.
For what amounts to $8M a season, they’ll have significantly downgraded. Plus, I’d trust Rendon to be a 4+ win player at age 37 a lot more than I trust Donaldson to be even PLAYABLE at 37.
They backed off Rendon because they don’t want to pay a premium for age 34-37… but with Donaldson, all you’re getting is 34-37. You’re getting the downside of the deal without the upside of Rendon from 30-33.
I think everyone on the board assumes that difference in value including the age.
The discussion is about the market [what owners are willing to pay] and not the value [what a player performance commands]
Yeah, but that’s the issue here. Why is the owner willing to overpay for Donaldson’s production at relatively minimal annual savings compared to just keeping what they had?
Rendon at $35M is a prime-aged player who produces surplus value.
Donaldson at $27M is past his prime and much more likely to fail to justify that sum in even year 1 of his deal.
I don’t see Donaldson going over 25MM per year at the most. Sure any team could swoop in and say here is 91MM for 3 years, but that is such a huge jump in salary that I would have to classify it as (almost ) impossible. . The 22-24 range is a far more likely ceiling, especially given the length of contract that the Twinkies and Nats have on the table.
Donaldson is not a huge step down form Rendon when healthy.
The real question is how healthy he will be and when will age regression happen for this guy. Rendon was only marginally better then Donaldson last year and if Donaldson stays healthy then he will be a steal. It’s all about the health but Donaldson was really good in 2019. The point I’m saying is last year there was just a little difference between the two players and while I think that Rendon will be better the next three years but depending on health only marginally. Donaldson has always been an absolute stud when healthy.
Why don’t Atlanta trade for Arenado? They have the pieces and could easily swing the trade to get him! Maybe I’m missing something but on paper it seems like a logical fit. Atlanta has tons of prospects both position and pitching, Arenado is controlled long term! Rockies get their fix, Atlanta gets there’s! But who am I?
Awesome righty bat to compliment Freeman’s lefty swing!
Because we are content in winning the division and getting bounced out in the first round duhhhh, who needs that big bat and big time pitcher to put us over the top and become the class of the NL for years anyway..
Relying on 20 year old kids and cheap prospects, signing them to wayyyy organization-friendly contracts so you think we would have extra money to make a splash or 2 w/ new ballpark revenue, and signing old pitchers or bringing them in half way through the season to fill an already questionable rotation is the recipe for WS success.
Damn I just ranted.. (have had some good signings this winter but bullpen is always a work in progress these days and easy to wrench during the season, focus should be on co-ace, 3b, and LF bat with big pop.)
Kakes and culbertson both are perfect players coming off the bench and filling in for injuries and spot starts, but Kakes shouldn’t be penciled in the every day lineup anymore ESPECIALLY without a donaldson type hitter in it.
So far this winter, the rotation has taken a hit (-2, +1), the lineup and defense isn’t as good, and the bullpen and bench is better. Long way to go yet but easy to see where this team needs the help in 2 profound areas.
I think the Twins should go for Seager. It would be a good fit for him. I don’t picture Donaldson on the Twins
Don’t the twins have Miguel Sano? Why do they need Josh Donaldson?
I think they’re talking about moving Sano to 1B.
please go to the twins donaldson