MLB Predictions: Washington Nationals Out Of Josh Donaldson Race After Signing Starlin Castro And Asdrubal Cabrera

The Washington Nationals are no longer the favorites to sign free agent Josh Donaldson after the team made a pair of infield acquisitions over the weekend, bringing in veterans Starlin Castro and Asdrubal Cabrera on new contracts.

As per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Nats have not yet withdrawn their offer to the former Atlanta Braves third baseman, but the two most recent signings mean a deal is more unlikely than ever. Both Castro and Cabrera are second basemen by trade but have the skill and experience to play the hot corner.

Donaldson is known to want a four-year contract worth at least $100 million. Washington’s offer to the 34-year-old is thought to be around that nine-figure threshold but it is unclear if they are willing to offer richer terms, especially in light of the Castro and Cabrera deals.

Starlin Castro played the majority of his career with the Chicago Cubs before joining the New York Yankees and eventually Miami Marlins. Last season, he hit .270 with 22 home runs and 86 runs batted in for the Fish, although that wasn’t enough for the team to activate his $16 million option for 2020.

Instead, Miami paid Castro a $1 million buyout, allowing him to sign elsewhere. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports the Nationals agreed to pay the infielder $12 million per season for the next two years. Meanwhile, Cabrera had to settle for lesser terms.

The long-time Cleveland Indian has become a bit of a journeyman in recent years. Since leaving the Tribe in 2014 he has played for the Nationals, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. The 13-year veteran slashed a .260 batting average in 131 games last season split between Texas and Washington.

He helped the Nats to their first World Series by hitting .323 with six home runs and 40 RBIs in 2019. Cabrera now re-joins them on a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.

Both Cabrera and Castro have the ability to play third base and although Washington likely has the resources to at least keep their offer for Josh Donaldson on the table, it seems unlikely that they will up the ante to secure the player.

That leaves the door open for a surprise deal between Donaldson and teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins.