MLB Free Agents: top 10 players and likely destinations

By Clint Manry | Dec 22, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu (99) walks into the dugout to start Game three of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals on October 6, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves

3B, Josh Donaldson

After starting the offseason as one of the most active teams on the FA market — making several moves to reinforce its bullpen as well as re-sign a few MLB free agents– GM Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves have stood idle since late November when they signed catcher Travis d’Arnaud to a two-year, $16 million contract.

Right now the issue is the length of the contract, as Anthopoulos has no interest in giving 34-year-old Donaldson a four-year deal, but considering the team’s current depth chart, the former MVP seems like a no-brainer.

The Braves are in need of not only a competent third baseman but also a cleanup hitter, as Donaldson provided both for the team in 2019, on his one-year, $23 million pillow contract. The risk of a long term commitment to a mid-30s player is nothing to take lightly, but the Braves have no choice.

Given how much Donaldson enjoyed his time as a fan favorite in Atlanta, not to mention his healthy relationship with Anthopoulos, I think he and the Braves make a compromise.

Contract prediction: 3 years, $90 million

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