MLB Rumors: Free Agent Josh Donaldson Drawing Interest From Six Teams

This year’s MLB free agent third baseman market is all about one name: Anthony Rendon. However, there are other, solid options for the hot corner for teams with a need in that position. One of those alternatives is veteran Josh Donaldson, who is already drawing interest from around the big leagues.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, there are six teams who are currently considering Donaldson. Among them are the Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies.

One of the reasons for this immediate interest is that blue chip free agent Rendon is a client of Scott Boras, who is known to prefer for his players to wait until later in free agency to sign for a new club. That works for his clients as they generally get the money that they want.

However, it means that if a team waits to see how things shake out with the Boras client, they may miss out on their alternative targets. According to one team executive, “If a team is worried that waiting for Rendon could mean they get neither of them, they could make a move for Donaldson.”

The former Toronto Blue Jay and Oakland Athletic had a great 2019. Coming off of two injury-laden seasons, Donaldson tallied 37 home runs in Atlanta while posting a 4.9 fWAR. He only hit .259/.379/.521 but he looked worth every bit of his salary.

In addition, Donaldson signed a one-year $23 million deal with the Braves last offseason. He inked those terms last November 26, 2018, which is very early in free agency for a player to sign. There is no telling if Donaldson will sign an early contract again this winter but his market should clarify itself in the coming weeks.

The Braves did tender Donaldson a qualifying offer before last Monday’s deadline. The third baseman has until this Thursday to either accept or reject the one-year $17.8 million offer from Atlanta. However, a rejection is highly anticipated as the baseball world believes he could easily get more money on the open market, even as he enters his age 34 in 2020.