-
Jeff Passan, ESPN
The New York Yankees have made the decision to release third baseman Josh Donaldson, putting an end to his disappointing and short tenure with the team. This move comes as the Yankees reflect on the decisions that led them to finish in last place.
Sources have confirmed to ESPN that the Yankees have also placed outfielder Harrison Bader on waivers.
The trade that brought Donaldson, a former American League MVP, from the Minnesota Twins to the Yankees occurred shortly after the end of the lockout in March 2022. Despite the remaining $50 million on his contract for the final two years ($21 million for 2022 and 2023, along with an $8 million buyout for a 2024 option), the Yankees had hoped that the three-time All-Star would bring stability to the third-base position and strengthen their offense.
However, following a tough 2022 season with a .222/.308/.374 slash line, Donaldson struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness this year. In 33 games, he hit 10 home runs but batted .142/.225/.434.
Donaldson’s injured list stints included April 5 to June 2 due to a strained right hamstring and a strained calf in mid-July, leading to his placement on the 60-day injured list. It was expected that he would miss most of the season.
While Donaldson is now healthy and nearing a return, the Yankees have decided to part ways with him, affording him the opportunity to sign with a team where he can receive playing time. It is expected that Donaldson will clear waivers at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and as long as he is on a team’s roster by Friday, he would be eligible for the postseason.
Bader, who was acquired in a trade for left-hander Jordan Montgomery last season, has been hitting .242 with seven home runs this year.
The Yankees currently occupy the cellar of the AL East with a record of 63-68, on the verge of their first sub-.500 season since 1992. Donaldson, along with utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt, was acquired in exchange for infielder Gio Urshela and catcher Gary Sanchez. He has faced criticism from fans who are frustrated with the Yankees’ collapse after six consecutive playoff appearances.
During his first season with the Yankees, Donaldson also received a one-game suspension from Major League Baseball for referring to Chicago White Sox star Tim Anderson as “Jackie” – a reference to Jackie Robinson, who broke MLB’s color barrier in 1947. Donaldson apologized to Anderson, who is Black, but Anderson described the comment as “disrespectful” and “unnecessary.”
In his prime, Donaldson was one of the top players in baseball. He won the 2015 AL MVP with the Toronto Blue Jays and had a resurgence with the Atlanta Braves four years later, which led to the Minnesota Twins offering him a four-year, $92 million free agent contract.
However, Donaldson and the Twins did not mesh well, leading to Minnesota looking for trade partners. The Yankees obliged, but less than two years later, Donaldson’s time in pinstripes has come to an end.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
