The Three Biggest Losers of the Josh Donaldson Signing

Photo Courtesy of The Star Tribune

By: Chris Larson 

Earlier this afternoon, the Minnesota Twins officially announced that they had signed third baseman, Josh Donaldson. The Bringer of Rain (his coined MLB nickname), came to terms with the Twins on a four-year, $92 million dollar contract that includes a potential option for a fifth season at a value of $16 million dollars or an $8 million dollar buyout.

Along with those specifics of the deal, Josh Donaldson also received a limited no-trade clause, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic and Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Donaldson has the ability to block a trade to five teams.

The signing is a significant one for the Minnesota Twins who had a very powerful lineup, that led all of baseball in home runs last season, and gives the Twins a very balanced batting order as well. When you survey the Twins lineup from top to bottom, there are lots of different looks and styles of hitters which should be a huge advantage for the team in their pursuit of the American League Central crown. Furthermore, the Twins significantly upgraded their infield defense at the hot corner by bringing in Josh Donaldson also.

Last season among qualified third baseman, Donaldson ranked second in Defensive Runs Saved behind only, Matt Chapman of the Oakland Athletics, with 15 over the span of 1,297 innings. Prior to signing Donaldson, the Twins had a huge question mark at third base. Miguel Sano would have likely occupied that position, but he is much better defensively at first base and therefore the Twins knew that an upgrade had to be made in a significant way at the hot corner. Although, Donaldson isn't a pitcher, he will help their pitching staff with the defense that he provides.

So now that the Minnesota Twins and Josh Donaldson are an item, the question becomes: who are the biggest losers from him signing with the Minnesota Twins? The question seems pretty obvious when you look around the league and survey potential teams that could have used Donaldson, but here is a lengthier explanation of each of the losers.



1. Washington Nationals - As it stands right now, the biggest loser from Josh Donaldson signing with the Minnesota Twins is likely the Washington Nationals. With the departure of third baseman, Anthony Rendon who signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels this offseason, the Nationals have a huge void still at the hot corner. As things stand right now and will likely look come Opening Day, the Nationals will have Asdrubal Cabrera penciled in as their primary third baseman. The Nationals number one prospect, Carter Kieboom could receive looks at that position during Spring Training though so he is another potential option for Washington. However, Kieboom is primarily a second baseman and shortstop so he is basically an unknown at third base.

For a team that is coming off a World Series Championship and has their eyes set on being a repeat World Series contender this coming season, the Nationals desperately need the offense and defense that Josh Donaldson provides. Without Anthony Rendon, the Nationals lineup and overall defense is much weaker and Washington is taking a huge gamble with the current plan they have in place. Of course, the Nationals could always make a trade for Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs or Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies prior to Opening Day, but both of those scenarios seem unlikely.

2. Atlanta Braves - The Atlanta Braves came to terms with free agent outfielder, Marcell Ozuna last night on a one-year, $18 million dollar deal, but Josh Donaldson was an integral part of the team's offense and overall chemistry last season. Last year with the Braves, only Ronald Acuna Jr. had more home runs (41) than Josh Donaldson who finished the season with 38. Furthermore, the Braves infield defense seemed to rival the best in all of baseball with Freddie Freeman at first base, Ozzie Albies at second, Dansby Swanson at shortstop, and Donaldson at third. Without him there, the Braves infield defense is going to look a lot different and could very well take a step backwards this coming season especially on the left side.

Like the Washington Nationals, the Braves are going to hand over the everyday third base job to a platoon of Austin Riley and Johan Camargo. While both Riley and Camargo are talented in their own individual ways, they do not compare to the type of player that Josh Donaldson is. Additionally, last season there were many occasions where Donaldson was a key part of drumming up the team after a series of losses or finding a way to be that veteran presence for such a young team. Without Donaldson there, the Braves chemistry takes a bit of a hit and it's going to be up to another veteran to step up and replace that chemistry. It will definitely be a challenging task though.

3. Texas Rangers - Heading into this offseason, the Texas Rangers looked poised to make a big splash or two on the free agent market. After all, the Rangers were preparing to head into their new stadium, Globe Life Field and were ready to seriously put together a true contending team. The Rangers wanted to draw big names to bring fans out to their new stadium during their inaugural season, but didn't necessarily do that this offseason. When it comes to third base, the Rangers had a very obvious hole due to the retirement of former third baseman and future Hall of Famer, Adrian Beltre. Beltre was a true icon for the Rangers and while no third baseman will live up to the legacy that he had in Arlington with the Rangers, Josh Donaldson would have been a very good replacement.

Instead of signing Josh Donaldson, the Rangers decided to go the less risky route and signed Todd Frazier to a one-year, $5 million dollar deal that includes a $5.75 million dollar option for the 2021 regular season. Although Frazier is a great veteran presence and someone capable of playing third base on an everyday basis, he does not live up to the level of Josh Donaldson. Frazier is a little over two months younger than Donaldson, but does not have the same type of hype that Donaldson would have brought to the ballpark. If the Rangers wanted to accomplish their goal of drawing fans out to Globe Life Park during the stadiums inaugural season, then Donaldson should have been their primary target.



In the end, these three teams are the biggest losers of Josh Donaldson signing with the Minnesota Twins. As they always say, sometimes the best deals are the ones that aren't made and that may very well be the case for the Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, and Texas Rangers. However, from here and on paper, it looks like all three teams are weaker without Donaldson in the mix and don't have replacements at the same level as the Bringer of Rain. Only time will tell how the plan for each of these three teams ends up panning out this coming season and what each of those three might do to address any weakness at the hot corner, should one exist at some point, this season.