All you need to know if New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson is retiring from Major League Baseball.
Josh Donaldson, who plays third base for the New York Yankees, has not yet determined whether or not he will continue his playing career beyond the current season. Donaldson is currently participating in the fourth and final guaranteed year of the four-year contract that he signed with the Twins leading up to the 2020 season.
That agreement initially included a club option for the year 2024; however, if Donaldson were to be traded at any point, the club option would be converted into a mutual option. Since he was traded to the Yankees before the 2022 season, his mutual option is now worth $16 million, with a buyout of $6 million if the club decides not to exercise it. Donaldson recently spoke to The Athletic and said, “I don’t know, It kind of just depends on how I feel going through this year and this season and all of that and talking to my family.”
Donaldson, who was once regarded as one of the game’s best players, was honored as the Most Valuable Player in the American League in the year 2015. He finished the season with the Toronto Blue Jays with a batting line of.297/.371/.568 and a wRC+ of 154. He hit 41 home runs during that season for the Blue Jays. That was one of the five consecutive seasons between 2013 and 2017 in which he recorded at least 5.0 fWAR, split between the Athletics and the Jays respectively.
As he has progressed into his mid- and late-30s, it is only natural that his performance has declined to a level that is less consistently elite. In 2018, he was only able to participate in 52 of the season’s total games because he spent much of the year on the injured list. The fact that he was having injury problems right before he was about to enter the open market was extremely unfortunate timing. He was only able to secure a one-year contract with Atlanta, but he had a fantastic season after his previous failures. He belted 37 home runs, hit.259.379/.521, and finished with a 131 wRC+ and 5.2 fWAR in the season.
Since the trade that took place in 2022, his production has seen a steady decline. In 2013, he had a strikeout rate of 27.1% of the times he came to the plate, which was his worst rate since making his brief debut in 2010. His power was also down, as evidenced by the fact that he only hit 15 home runs the previous year. His batting line of.222/.308/.374 resulted in a wRC+ score of 97. This year, he has only been able to participate in 17 games because of a hamstring strain.
Josh Donaldson was drafted into Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2007. He was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the MLB Draft, with the 48th overall pick. This marked the beginning of his professional baseball journey. Before his professional career, Donaldson attended Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. As a member of the Auburn Tigers baseball team, he showcased his talent and versatility on the field. Donaldson played both catcher and third base, displaying his defensive skills and offensive prowess.
During his college career, Donaldson established himself as a standout player. He consistently produced solid numbers at the plate and demonstrated his strong arm and defensive abilities behind it. His impressive performances caught the attention of scouts and helped solidify his draft status as a highly regarded prospect.
In 2007, Donaldson’s outstanding collegiate career led to his selection by the Chicago Cubs in the MLB Draft. The Cubs recognized his potential and believed in his abilities as a baseball player. This marked the start of his journey in professional baseball.
Donaldson began his professional career in the Cubs’ minor league system, working his way up through the ranks. He showcased his skills and continued to develop as a player during his time in the minors. However, his path to the major leagues took a turn when he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in 2008.
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