MLB Predictions: Josh Donaldson To Sign With Nationals, Nicholas Castellanos To Land With Diamondbacks

Josh Donaldson is by far the best free agent still left on the market while Nicholas Castellanos is an under-valued yet productive corner outfielder who has not yet signed with a new club. Just where will these two free agents land come the start of the new season?

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, there are a few major players in the Donaldson sweepstakes. The Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins all hold interest in the former Toronto Blue Jay.

However, Rosenthal reports that the other suitors of Donaldson are fearful that the Nationals will blow everyone else out of the water with a long-term contract with a large annual value. Washington lost out on re-signing Anthony Rendon after he chose the Los Angeles Angels in free agency.

That has left a huge hole at the hot corner in the nation’s capital with only Donaldson left on the free agent market as the only player who could hold a candle to Rendon’s production. Donaldson’s 33 doubles and 37 home runs in 2019 makes him a big bat for any lineup in baseball.

There is the chance that the Nats could approach the Chicago Cubs to trade for Kris Bryant. The 27-year-old is one of the best players who could be on the move this winter and the two parties have been in contact over a possible deal.

That trade would likely involve Victor Robles going to Chicago. Robles is one of the bright spots in the National’s farm system and projects to be a star at the major league level. According to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network, Washington is in no hurry to off-load their young outfield star in the making.

That means they will be very motivated to get a deal done for Donaldson and could offer the veteran a three or even four-year contract. Due to the motivation of the Nationals, they will get Donaldson.

Meanwhile, Castellanos hasn’t made many waves in free agency, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value for teams with a need in the outfield. The Arizona Diamondbacks have made some waves this off-season after they signed Madison Bumgarner to a five-year $85 million contract.

The normally cost-conscious Snakes weren’t expected to make such a big move and Bumgarner wasn’t expected to land in the desert. However, his signing doesn’t spell the end of the off-season acquisitions for the D-Backs, who also have needs in the outfield.

Castellanos slugged 27 home runs in 2019, which he split between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs following a mid-season trade. He was also not tendered a qualifying offer from the Cubs, so he will not cost his new team any draft picks.

That makes this a match made in heaven. Expect to see Castellanos in Arizona come the start of the 2020 MLB season.