Josh Donaldson Should Absolutely Stay in Atlanta if Every Suitor is Offering the Same Deal
By Jerry Trotta
On Thursday, it was reported that the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, and Washington Nationals all have submitted four-year contracts to coveted free agent third baseman Josh Donaldson worth around $100 million each.
This update came as a bit of a surprise, as the Braves had reportedly been adamant about not offering Donaldson a fourth year. But if they are willing to swallow that extra year of salary as today's report suggests, then Donaldson should absolutely return to Atlanta. Case closed.
"The Twins, Nationals and Braves all have four-year offers out to him in that $100-million range." https://t.co/nDQLwKbEbK
— Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) January 2, 2020
Why wouldn't he? The Braves, whose strength remains their ever-improving young core, are indisputably best positioned for a World Series run of those three clubs.
We still don't know what Washington will look like without Anthony Rendon at the hot corner and in the middle of their lineup. As for Minnesota, well, they are notorious for choking once October hits.
Further, Donaldson endured tremendous bounce-back success in his first season in Atlanta, logging a .379 OBP, .521 slugging percentage, and .900 OPS to go along with 37 home runs, 94 RBI, and 96 runs scored.
Josh Donaldson getting offers from Braves, Nats and Twins all in the 4-year, $100M range, per @Feinsand pic.twitter.com/iXa94lSqAz
— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) January 2, 2020
If the Braves are offering the all-important fourth year -- which Donaldson appears more enticed by than merely the salary number -- it seems like a no brainer for the Bringer of Rain to continue calling SunTrust Park home for the latter stages of his MLB career. Why mess with a good thing?