The New York Yankees DFA’d outfielder Aaron Hicks last month due to his prolonged subpar performance. The next person on the radar was third baseman Josh Donaldson. The infielder arrived in the Bronx in 2022, and his form went downhill shortly after. Hence, the loyal fan base wanted him gone during this year’s off-season. However, the Bomber’s front office chose to give him a second life.
Ironically, Josh Donaldson’s form dipped further in the 2023 season. On top of that, injuries have further added to the trouble. He just recently got reinstated from IL after recovering from a hamstring injury. But his form did not improve. Meanwhile, amid offensive struggles, the chorus for DFA’ing Donaldson has once again gained momentum, and this time, the Yankee might give it serious thought.
DFA’ing Josh Donaldson Might Be The Right Choice For Yankees
The third baseman, Josh Donaldson, has had enough chances to prove himself over the past few months. His fake promises fell flat on his face as he failed to generate any significant offensive production. Hence, the Bombers might consider cutting him off right now. Let’s play out the scenario. If the Yankees DFA Donaldson right now, he will earn an $8 million buyout, which is not too bad compared to Aaron Hicks. For him, the team had $27.5 million as he had two years left on the contract. Also, Josh is not too sure if at all he wants to continue next season. So why drag his horrific run anyways?
Another option could be trading him, which the Yankees tried in the off-season. But the baseman’s age and high contract value became a problem. So trade option would probably not work out. So releasing him as soon as possible would be the best choice. It’s worth noting that roster decisions are influenced by various factors, including a player’s performance, contract considerations, team dynamics, and organizational goals. The Yankees, like any other team, continually evaluate their roster and make adjustments to optimize their chances of success.
Josh Donaldson Is Facing The Wrath Of The Fans
New York Yankee’s third baseman, Josh Donaldson, went hitless on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners for the third time in a row. To his misfortune, the game was taking place in the Bronx. Naturally, the home fans came at him. After every strike, the baseman heard loud boos from the crowd. Moreover, as the strike kept on adding up, the boos just got louder.
Aaron Boone, the Yankees manager, backed the third baseman. He said that Donaldson is trying to prove himself a lot. He is constantly trying to show that he still has some juice left in him and he is capable enough to play baseball at the highest level. Ultimately, Boone is confident that Josh Donaldson will come around eventually. Whether the manager is delusional or smart, only time will tell.
