Josh Donaldson returned to free agency at season’s end. The veteran third baseman had finished out the year with the Brewers after being released by the Yankees in late August.
The 2015 AL MVP tells Josh Wegman of The Score that he’s open to a return for what would be his age-38 season. A potential 14th big league campaign would seemingly be his last, as Donaldson indicated he’d be unlikely to continue into 2025.
“If it’s a situation that I feel (comfortable in) then I’m definitely up for playing one more year,” Donaldson told Wegman. “But I think after this upcoming season, that would be my last season no matter what. I would like to play one more year and go out on a good note and then that’d be it.”
Donaldson isn’t going to be a priority target for teams coming off the worst season of his career. He had hit .142/.225/.434 in 34 games for the Yankees. Donaldson had a pair of lengthy injured list stints, losing time to hamstring and calf injuries. His production in Milwaukee was slightly improved but still below average. Over 17 contests with the Brew Crew, he managed a .169/.290/.390 showing. He finished the year with a bizarre .152/.249/.418 batting line over 189 plate appearances. A staggering 13 of his 25 hits for the season were home runs.
While he still brings some power potential from the right-handed batter’s box, Donaldson’s offense has skewed toward an extreme three true outcomes approach. He surely won’t repeat a .115 batting average on balls in play, but he’s also striking out more than he did earlier in his career.
In July, Donaldson acknowledged some uncertainty about playing beyond 2023. He’s apparently now willing to do so, although it’s possible he’d be particular about a destination. Donaldson understandably didn’t seem enthused about the idea of signing with a non-competitive team. At the same time, he indicated the calculus for competitiveness would be his subjective perception of a team’s chances as opposed to general consensus.
“For me to believe that the team has a chance to contend, I wouldn’t say that everybody has to have the thought of that team contending,” Donaldson said. “I would definitely want to feel like the team has a chance to win.”
It isn’t clear if he’d have any appetite for a minor league deal if no team were willing to guarantee him a roster spot. Donaldson’s contract with the Brewers was a non-roster deal, but Milwaukee called him up after five tune-up games in Triple-A.
Matt Chapman is the headliner of this winter’s free agent third base class. Jeimer Candelario is the clear #2 option, while Justin Turner and Evan Longoria are veteran righty hitters who could rotate through the corner infield and designated hitter. Gio Urshela has a chance at a two-year deal. Brian Anderson, Mike Moustakas and Eduardo Escobar are among the depth options.
and the hot stove explodes!
Hey just as long is if it isn’t for the New York Yankees!
Cap – The Yankees would be the most obvious fit, because they embrace his homerun-or-nothing approach to hitting.
He would never fit on a team that emphasizes making contact, productive outs, line drives and walks.
@FPG Brian Cashman might have you few choice words for you regarding your “BS” comment.
YBC – Haha …. I saw the presser, loved how Cashman lost it! The swearing didn’t help him pull off a tough guy image with that pink shirt he was wearing! Haha!
He knows they are right though, Yankees went too far with the analytics and homeruns-or-nothing approach to hitting. It’s widely believed that is precisely what Judge was critiquing a month or two ago.
Why DID Volpe suddenly develop an uppercut swing?
Why DID they acquire Franchy and give him so much playing time?
Why WOULD Ben Ruta lie about the Yankees awarding points for the hardest hit balls?
Why DID the Yankees have the 8th-lowest OBP in franchise history, and 2nd-lowest since 1968?
At least he now realizes the error of his ways, and all it would take is a trade for Soto to get the offense back in the right direction.
Why DID he fire a hitting coach mid-season for the first time in 25 years as GM?
They cut him a couple months ago. Really doubt theyve changed their minds about him since.
YBC – Because he had an opportunity to bring back – wait for it – the hitting coach whose players in 2019 broke the all-time MLB team record for most homeruns in a season.
Cashman was completely obsessed with the longball, the team he constructed and the coaching proved that.
There’s no reason why Donaldson can’t become next year’s Carpenter, he did hit some big bombs at the end of this season.
unpaid – They cut him because they were out of contention and wanted to use the roster spot and playing time for evaluating other players.
Now it makes sense to give him a ST invite, if he can continue to hit like he did at the end of this season then he’d be a cheap one-year rental to help offset other large contracts that are sure to come (frontline SP and Soto or Bellinger).
They won’t have to pay Donaldson much and they could easily release him at any time if he doesn’t hit. We know he can still play 3B at an above average level, and he was well-liked by his Yankee teammates.
He’s absolutely right. I don’t agree with Fever on many things but he nailed it here with the Yankees all or nothing approach.
That being said, they don’t want Donaldson back.
Only cause he won the MVP over trout in 2015? Can someone explain that to me? Was it because Donaldson led in runs and RBI? And Trout only really led in SLG and WAR?
Anyways… I’m not an angels fan, just think Trout got Robbed a few times? Especially if he’s never really gonna get a legit chance at a ring?
Trout’s been robbed more than once because the writers have little to no consistency in their choices year to year.
Why
“I would like to play one more year and go out on a good note and then that’d be it.” – Josh Donaldson
That echo you heard in coast to coast synchronicity was 30 GMs saying “mmmm-hmmmm…” at the same time!
Hey let’s not even tell Cashman, that he’s available again please!!!
Imagine doing something you love, becoming one of the best in the world at it, and your ability slowly fading away. Do you think it would be easy to give it up?
The more you love the game, the more it quits you first.
Nothing wrong with Donaldsons career. Lots of accolades, played well into his 30s, made lots of money
… He never was one of the best in the world at it though…..
He was a major leaguer, so he most certainly was one of the best. He also won an MVP, so for a season he was the best of the best.
Elite glove, lots of pop. Time and injuries caught up to him. Kick rocks.
“He never was one of the best in the world at it though”
I guess being named the Most Valuable Player in the highest-ranking league on the planet doesn’t make you one of the best in the world.
It would be shocking if he got anything more than a minor league deal with invitation to spring training.
He is a headache in the locker room and no longer worth it.
Welcome to Kansas City Josh.
Can I sign the contract for him to go to Kansas City, with Jackie?
Can’t stop laughing now, and thanks!
Kansas City? Oakland or Korea more likely. Although Oakland isn’t much better than Korea. I’d just go fishing. Kansas City fans are probably hurling reading that comment Grichuk. LOL
The 3B market is so dry that a team might guarantee him a minimum ML salary with some incentives.
He looked absolutely washed but Nelly Cruz got a $1MM check from SD this year.
Please don’t put those two names in the same conversation
Whichever team signs Donaldson will certainly get a call from Cole Hamels’ agent saying “ Hey, I have this World Series MVP who is healthy and says he can still get major league hitters out”
For both cases, the train has left the station.
Cruz had OPS+ of 129 and 89 while playing full time in the two years leading up to his deal. Donaldson had 93 and 79 in the last two years and spent most of last season injured. Not quite the same.
Donaldson can put on a glove and play a passable 3B in a weak market.
I don’t think it’s a lock or anything of the sort but I think there’s a chance. Some team might argue that’s he’s finally healthy now. After you get past Turner, Chappy, Candy, and Urshela it’s pretty ugly for the 3B market.
Is he really a locker room headache though? Other than the random Brewers guy triggered Donaldson didn’t introduce himself. I’ve never heard anything negative about him.
He called beane, billy boy, and tim Anderson Jackie because of a quote in sports illustrated after Anderson took a slide at him. I’m not sure if he’s a locker room cancer.
Rex – He’s not a cancer at all.
He’s Stifler from American Pie …. crude and rude, not too smart, kinda crazy, but not a bad guy.
Actually he’s the baseball equivalent of Gronk.
I wasn’t saying he was, definitely a prototypical jock. Beane is the tight ass that demands you to call him sir, and Anderson seems like a dick, after hearing Jose Ramirez explain the situation about him tagging, and sliding hard and was warned about it for years tried to step up, and went too sleep.
People actually like Gronk bc he makes fun of himself. I tripped out watching his WWE Covid match.
YBC – Gronk and his family have been doing an annual party cruise out of Florida for years, he’s definitely an entertaining dude. I had a chance to meet him at a concert in Boston years ago, nice guy but definitely the stereotypical jock type.
Blue Jays seem like a great fit on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
I agree. His best years were with the Jays. He could rebound to some degree in a familiar setting. Low risk move on a low dollar 1 year contract if he made the team
Cards – Not many people know this, but his wife is from Ontario. They would both love for him to finish his career in Toronto.
@Buzzz- Yeah maybe if it’s for a 1 day contract?
@Judge He goes to spring, they see what he’s got left, if he shows good stuff he gets a spot if not then maybe they decide to let him finish his career with them by giving him a game or two to play or just cut him loose. Still has good power and discipline just no contact.
I met Josh at an airport earlier this month. One of the friendliest MLB players I’ve ever met. Wish him nothing but the best.
He’s intense between the white lines, but it wouldn’t surprise me he’s quite different off the field.
@bmp010- Yes, Jackie seems to like Josh a lot too, and wishes him nothing but his best!!!
I’m hoping Donaldson and Anderson end up on the same team.
No stay away from the Jay’s. Jd would strain his calf walking to the clubhouse.
He can be bat boy.
I remember this dude when he played in Oakland, and would smash, even more so in Toronto. It’d be nice to see him go out with a bang. Not sure there’s much left in the tank though or who would take a chance on him.
Balk – Do you remember who Beane traded Donaldson for?
One of the biggest tools to ever play the game, Brett Lawrie.
And also Graveman, who was quite awful with Oakland.
Every time someone calls Beane a God, I point to that trade as just one example why he’s not.
I’m happy that they are on the move to Vegas. They need to re start that franchise from top down.
@Fever Pitch
Agreed – although my A’s acquired JD for practically nothing, Billy Beane didn’t have to give him up for the same…And subsequent released Kendall Graveman. That one won’t ever get any better…
Beane was very good in his day. Modern analytics blew him away later on. Early 2000’s Beane was ahead of the curve though.
UK – Graveman needed TJS and Beane didn’t want to pay him a year’s salary for nothing, so I can’t fault him too much for that one.
The Cubs got stuck paying his 2019 salary and he never threw a pitch for them.
Brian – Dan Duquette began the analytics revolution in MLB long before Beane got involved in it.
And Beane didn’t have the common sense to realize defense and baserunning skills are important.
When all is said and done, Balco and a trio of stellar starting pitchers is what made Beane’s teams contenders in the regular season. Moneyball played a far lesser role, regardless of what the movie portrayed.
Sure. I was giving him the credit for finding and developing those arms. Particularly in that era.
Graveman was okay, good even at times. Took awhile tho.
The Yankees have an opening at third base.
Nah I’d rather have Jackie at the hot corner!
@LordD99: They could sign Donaldson and still have that opening, lol.
I’m also open to playing a season in MLB. I have no prior baseball experience per se. Although I have won a fantasy baseball league. Which obviously points to my virtual leadership abilities.
White Sox should sign
Sounds like an A’s signing waiting to happen.
I think you nailed it Baron
Makes sense.
That would actually be fun to see.
Maybe he can work his back and core like Baez is doing this off-season. That should make him like 33 again. And 33 was worn by Scottie Pippen. So, he’s going to sign with a chicago team.
This math seems more complicated than anything Good Will Hunting threw at us… and I like it.
I was giving myself some wiggle room.since I already eliminated Houston
Thank goodness. I was a little worried there
Meh. I assume he’s already been paid that $8M buyout? I don’t think that was reported on, but obviously that $16M option wasn’t picked up and he got bought out. Do we think he’d play for the minimum or a token $1M or something?
I get that players don’t want to be pushed out of the game and want to go out on as close to their own terms and some kind of a high note as possible, which is probably why Donaldson wants to play one more season.
If he’s playing on a cheap 1 year deal and he feels like a veteran complimentary piece that isn’t there to be an all-star cornerstone offensive powerhouse or gold glove level defensive position player and he’s just there to get some at bat’s, do a few things, have fun and walk away as an older player who showed he could still do something- I understand him wanting that.
But baseball ain’t a charity. He ain’t worth the roster spot.
I think he’s gonna have to leave the game the same way my favorite Yankee Brett Gardner left- option doesn’t get picked up, no other deal materializes, you ‘take the year off’ and then just never come back.
Sorry, Josh. You had a really fun ascension and a really ugly mega contract and you said and did some stuff that stained your reputation and unfortunately that means the game probably wants to move on from you.
Excellent op ed TTO (no sarcasm). You should write for TR. Cheers!
While I appreciate the vote of confidence, I find that although my freeform thoughts are good or excellent writing (other people’s words, not mine) for a comment section, they don’t really comport with the style guidelines and uniform tone that’s required of a publication.
I have to agree. Your style of writing and word usage would be great for writing articles for this platform. You’d never be on the level of Steve Adams but still I think you’d be a great writer on here
Hahahahaha!!!
Looks like the Ms will sign him to DH
If they would give Pollock $7M I could see them wasting money on Donaldson too
He can still put out that punchers chance at hitting a HR but he’s most likely a bench or a DH bat at this point. Really he could produce a Albert Pujols type of final season in 2022. Would be a good low risk signing for a team needing a RH bat because he may have to take minor league deal.
The question is actually whether anyone signs him for another season.
For 99% of players, the teams tell you when you are retired.
If he takes a Nelson Cruz deal, I can see him breaking camp.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
If you can make a lot of money and you’re able to play baseball I say why the hell not you only live once and try to live that boyhood dream as long as you can.
Baseball…uh…finds a way.
Good luck with that LOL…..
$$$ troubles obviously…
JK
I could see him signing with Tampa and platooning vs LHP as a DH maybe some 3B and being a bargain for a league minimum type deal.
Let’s go blue jays
If he can get a 3-5M for a year why not go back for another year.
I’ll be shocked if he gets that much he may get a major league deal but it is gonna be for the near minimum unless he signs a minor league deal
Cause he’s running out of teams that’ll put up with his nonsense
I am also open to playing next season.
I am open to a contract extension.
It is time for JD to retire. He needs to realize his glory days are long gone and he is finished as a ballplayer. His toxicity was ignored when he was the “bringer of rain” – now there’s no place for it in any club house.
Donaldson and Votto at the corners!
2015 loves that very much
Retire. No team needs you nor should they want you.
Crazy rumor: I heard Ramirez, Anderson, and Donaldson are the trinity of an infield next season, for some lucky team out there?
Dude, you’ve made megabucks, but now you’re a has been. Take up golf.
He’s already a long-time golfer
That headline should probably read “Josh Donaldson open to getting paid for another season”…
Not worth a single dollar.
Josh Donaldson open to making 20 mil for doing nothing.
Please do Us and yourself the service and don’t
Gotta put in 5 more years to get his #’s up to HOF snuff…
Donaldson and Votto to the White Sox confirmed
IMHO,while I don’t think there is a role as a starter for contending team, teams like KC, the Rox, maybe even the Nats, could do a whole lot worse than spending a few quid on Donaldson.
Seriously go play spring season with your sons Little League team..U can coach em up!
Bring Moose and Zach back to the Royals for a final tour!!!!
some team might give him 6-8m hard to turn more piles of cash to claim injury again.