Free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson has agreed to a one-year, $23 million contract with the Braves, multiple sources told MLB.com’s Mark Bowman on Monday. The club has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical.
That salary is the same Donaldson earned last season with the Blue Jays and Indians. The short-term deal limits Atlanta’s risk in investing in the oft-injured third baseman, and it allows Donaldson to prove his health and re-enter free agency next offseason, which was said to be his preference.
Free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson has agreed to a one-year, $23 million contract with the Braves, multiple sources told MLB.com’s Mark Bowman on Monday. The club has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical.
That salary is the same Donaldson earned last season with the Blue Jays and Indians. The short-term deal limits Atlanta’s risk in investing in the oft-injured third baseman, and it allows Donaldson to prove his health and re-enter free agency next offseason, which was said to be his preference.
He was ineligible for a qualifying offer this year since he was traded midseason. However, if he spends all of 2019 with Atlanta, he can get a qualifying offer from the Braves next winter since he has never received one before.
Video: Donaldson reportedly has one-year deal with Braves
Donaldson, who turns 33 next month, split the 2018 season between Toronto and Cleveland. He missed much of the year with a left calf injury and batted .246/.352/.449 in 52 games.
His production improved upon his trade to the Indians — he slashed .280/.400/.520 with three home runs in 16 regular-season games — but he never got going in the postseason, going 1-for-11 with four strikeouts in the American League Division Series loss to the Astros.
The former AL Most Valuable Player is just two years removed from his last All-Star campaign. And he now joins a Braves club that won 90 games and also captured the National League East title for the first time since 2013.
Also on Monday, Atlanta signed free-agent catcher Brian McCann to a one-year deal. McCann previously played for the Braves from 2005-13.
Chad Thornburg is a reporter for MLB.com based in Los Angeles.
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