Josh Donaldson: Top 3 teams vying for the ‘Bringer of Rain’
Josh Donaldson is the best player remaining on the market, so let’s find out which teams need him the most.
Josh Donaldson bet on himself for the 2019 season, as he signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves and it paid off. While hitting in the middle of the lineup and playing nearly every single day, the 34-year-old hit 37 home runs while driving in nearly 100 runs.
He entered the market at the right time with numerous contending teams in need of his services, so let’s rank the top three teams in need of the Bringer of Rain.
. Texas Rangers. 3. team. 126. .
The Texas Rangers might not have the talent that the top two teams have, but the reason why I don’t think that they need him that much right now is that I don’t think they are ready to truly contend in the AL West next season despite their strong rotation that includes Corey Kluber, Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson, and Jordan Lyles.
The Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland Athletics are just better teams with stronger lineups than the Rangers so I don’t think it would be worth the $100 million that Donaldson is going to get to pay him right now. Don’t forget about the Houston Astros as well, as they are going to be the favorites to win the division.
But if Jon Daniels feels the need to get a third baseman, he still doesn’t have to spend a lot of money on Donaldson. Kris Bryant and Nolan Arenado are available via trade and it has been reported that the Rangers love Arenado, so it seems that might be a likelier scenario.
Top 2 Teams
team. 17. . . . Atlanta Braves. 2
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The Atlanta Braves are a very talented team right now, but they don’t have a great third baseman on the depth chart. Austin Riley is not as reliable as Donaldson is and he could be used as a trade piece.
The Braves need him back at the hot corner because they knew what they were going to get from him every day, and if they want to reach the postseason again I think that Josh Donaldson needs to be in that lineup.
The reason I have the Braves in front of the Rangers is that the Braves are a team that is capable of making it to the World Series while Texas is not.
Obviously the Braves are going to want Donaldson back. The only question is if the Braves will be willing to go the fourth year like the next team will.
. Washington Nationals. 1. team. 90. .
Anthony Rendon signing with the Los Angeles Angels to go play with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani out west was a big hit for the Washington Nationals. Rendon was a huge reason why they were able to win their first championship in franchise history.
And without a star at third base and in the middle of the lineup, I just don’t see how the Nationals will be able to get back to the World Series despite their strong starting staff.
Next. Red Sox payroll crunch hitting home. dark
So, that is where Josh Donaldson falls in. Mark and Ted Lerner have shown that they aren’t afraid to spend some money in free agency, and fans are going to expect them to get back to the postseason in 2020 so I don’t see why they wouldn’t make a very competitive offer to Donaldson.
It is just a matter of if he will accept it.