The Nationals are “ready to pivot” to Josh Donaldson as an alternative at third base, Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post reports on Twitter. It’s a longstanding connection, but the circumstances have shifted of late.
If this report is read most expansively, it might suggest that the Nats have all but given up their pursuit of Anthony Rendon, the superstar they drafted and helped to develop into one of the game’s best players. But the organization has been unwilling to rule out that possibility in the wake of the re-signing of Stephen Strasburg.
At minimum, it sounds as if the Nationals believe they’re likely to need a replacement for Rendon as he continues to draw suitors. That’s an awfully tall order, but the club certainly isn’t lowering its standards with its reported targets to date. In addition to considering Donaldson, the Nats are also said to have checked in on the trade availability of Kris Bryant.
If indeed the Nats do make a full-court press for Donaldson, they’ll need to stand out among several other contenders for his services. The division-rival Braves and Phillies are among them, along with the Dodgers, Rangers, and perhaps others. With loads of market appetite and a relative dearth of alternatives, particularly now that Mike Moustakas has signed with the Reds as a second baseman, Donaldson is seen as increasingly likely to command a four-year deal.
The Nationals have proven time and again that they’ll pay top dollar for free agents. In addition to the deals they got done, the club heavily pursued players such as Jason Heyward and Yoenis Cespedes. Whether they’ll come away with Donaldson can’t be known at the moment, but dedicated involvement from the D.C. organization is unquestionably a boon to his earning power.
Ty France
I was at the second game he played at Dodger Stadium last year. Every time he came up to bat Dieter Ruhle played “La Vie en Rose” as his walkup music. Maybe 20 people in the stadium got it including the player, who seemed to think it was pretty funny.
This whole situation makes me question who the Braves clean up hitter is going to be next season. If Donaldson gets a 4 year nine figure contract the Braves won’t and shouldn’t sign him. I just read that the Braves checked in on Rendon but I have to believe that is a pipe dream considering Stras is ranked lower than him and just got $245 million. Castellanos is the next best choice but I think he is probably too expensive and his defensive ineptitude makes him more suitable for an AL team. Maybe trade with the Pirates for Marte? I don’t know what the answer is but please don’t let the Braves go into next season with Markakis as the clean up hitter again. He is great and I love his salary but he needs to hit second or seventh in the batting order. Cleanup hitters have to be counted on for 30+ homers a year. Markakis’ 4-15 homers isn’t gonna cut it. I wish we could just bat Acuna third and Freeman cleanup but Acuna is heck bent on batting leadoff and his numbers seriously support that. He always becomes a much better hitter when he is in the leadoff spot. I can’t explain it but it’s true. Please don’t bring in some problem like Puig to ruin the attitudes that guys like Acuna and Albies have. I don’t think the outfielder from the Cardinals is worth the draft pick compensation or the $45 million he is expected to receive either. If the Braves don’t get Rendon, Donaldson, Castellanos, Marte or Bryant I think our offense will hurt a lot next season. I think the Bryant trade rumors are overhyped so I don’t see that happening. In would much rather give up large quantities of short term cash for a good player than possible star prospects in a trade. Maybe Anthopolous pulls something out of his sleeve and makes an acquisition o a power hitter no one was considering. What does everyone else think?
Frankie Lindor.
Haniger
After awhile it gets kind of silly reading these “reports” which are obviously just leaks from agents for stagecrafts sake.
agreed. same article gets written every hour with a different team copied and pasted in.
Most likely they get Donaldson. Can’t see them losing Rendon and not replacing thar production with someone who can somewhat fill that void. Not sure defensively but offensively he can at least provide them some power in the middle of the lineup and knock in some runs for them. I almost feel like if they are going after Donaldson they know he is gone and the bidding has already gone further than what the Nats are comfortable going.
If thats true the Nats will be looking real good. Their young players should improve so I see them being a very very competitive team next year
I think:
Rendon: Texas
Didi: Phillies
Bryant: Traded to the Nats
Donaldson: Braves
Sounds good to me. The Braves should definitely match any offer the Nats make for the rainmaker.
If the best the Braves do is match the Nats offer he’ll sign with the Nats since he knows that he then has a chance to win a WS.
Where did Washington finish in the division again? I won’t say that World Series was all luck, but let’s not pretend they didn’t catch a little. The Braves have that same shot.
@Thronson5, Donaldson had more defensive runs saved than any 3b in the majors this past season by almost double over the next closes third baseman.
I think you mean National League since Matt Chapman had 18, but 15 is still a number few reach.
Not a bad off season to bring back Strasburg and Kendrick then replace Rendon with Donaldson if that happens.
I have to imagine there will be a legitimate attempt to lock up Soto in a couple of years and sliding Donaldson’s money to him will be a nice start.
Braves should check in on Mikail Franco. Cheap 3B who ate our lunch last year. One of Franco, Camargo, or Riley will be adequate. Then get Marte with savings. Resign Keuchel 3/39.
Marte is the only name I like there
What about Chewbacca tit? How could you not like that name?
This is a rumor site…..
How about starting one that the cheap, imploding Indians have made Jose Rameriz available to take advantage of all the teams tripping over one another for a 3B.
He had a bad year but came to normal the last 2-3 months of 2019. A switch-hitter. Gold glove-type 3B. Hits with power. Works counts. Takes walks. Still young and on an affordable contract. Arguably better then Rendon, and surely Donaldson. And the Indians FO members are so dumb that they’ll take 2 guys about to be put on the waiver wire along with a 31 year-old Class A prospect just to get out of the contract.
That makes as much sense as most of the rumors I read during silly season.
Hot take
Donaldson is still going to be a brave, he just fits to well as a cheaper power bat that the braves need.
Good thing they got outbid for Heyward and Cespedes!
The moves you don’t make.
What former Braves players are the Gnats NOT interested in? Jesus, Rizzo has a real obsession with the Braves. Even if it just so happens to be a position that they need. It makes sense though, he always looked up to the 90s Braves and tried to replicate his whole philosophy around it. Fortunately for him his thought process of stacking the rotation (outdated model) actually worked last season. Gotta get those players from Atlanta though! They have special sauce that comes with them..
If they get him and the Braves don’t, I will burn Utica to the ground!
Burn NY if DC or Atl doesn’t sign him? Sounds fair to me.
It’s an The Office reference.
Colin Moran isn’t bad
Any team that signs Donaldson is getting the BEST!! Really disappointed in A for not considering him as a VALUED member of the Braves lineup! He will be missed!!! He proved what an asset he can be to any team. How quickly mgmt forgets!