Minnesota Twins reportedly ready to fold in Josh Donaldson pursuit
The Minnesota Twins are reportedly getting ready to walk away from Josh Donaldson given his new demands.
After missing out on every top of the rotation pitching target, the Minnesota Twins were a surprise entrant in the Josh Donaldson sweepstakes. They already had a viable option at third in Miguel Sano, making Donaldson a relative luxury item. However, as a potential bargain, one could understand the Twins’ interest.
That interest may now be over. Donaldson’s representatives have reportedly set their asking price, looking for a deal close to $110 million over four years. With that dollar amount in mind, the Twins have become pessimistic about their chances of acquiring the former MVP and could be ready to walk away from the table.
One can understand the Twins original interest in Donaldson. He was considered the second best third baseman on the market, and could be had for a fraction of the cost of Anthony Rendon. His .259/.379/.521 batting line with 37 homers and 33 doubles would look good in the middle of Minnesota’s lineup.
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But there is a certain point where a team has to walk away. At 34 years old, handing a four year deal to Donaldson was going to be a risky proposition in the first place. Now, with his asking price continuing to increase, it is time to decide whether or not that cost can be justified.
For a team like the Twins, spending approximately $110 million on an aging slugger would be difficult normally. As Donaldson happens to play third, a position where they have a burgeoning star in Sano, that cost is harder to justify, even if the Twins were to move Sano over to first.
This possibly failed pursuit for Donaldson is just another disappointment in what has already been an uninspiring offseason. The Twins had proclaimed that they were going to spend, only to see their pitching targets head elsewhere. Chasing Donaldson could have been a matter of just trying to do something, to make the splash that they had promised. Instead, they will have done almost nothing.
Next. Twins take gamble on Bailey and Hill. dark
The Minnesota Twins are pessimistic about signing Josh Donaldson now that he has set his asking price. So much for his becoming the Bringer of Purple Rain.