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Atlanta Braves: if it isn’t Josh Donaldson in 2020, then who plays third base?

By Alan Carpenter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Third baseman Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves runs after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 06, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Third baseman Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves runs after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 06, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 03: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves throws out the runner against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning in game one of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 03: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves throws out the runner against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning in game one of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

The third base position has traditionally been one supplying both defensive skill and power to lineups around the league.  But when you find that combination, it’s best to hold on to it.

The Atlanta Braves will indeed have a dilemma on their hands this Winter – the same problem they had after the 2012 season when Chipper Jones retired:  how to replace Josh Donaldson‘s performance.

The easy solution is to throw enough money and years at him to coax a return engagement.  But there’s a couple of problems with that:

  • Such a contract would have impacts on other team needs
  • He still could spurn the offer and opt to go elsewhere

Premium hot-corner men have been in short supply lately as evidenced by these numbers:  Manny Machado got his $300 million contract last season; Nolan Arenado is likewise signed up for $260 million… which is probably in the immediate neighborhood of where Anthony Rendon will be driving in stakes this Winter.

League-wide, this is still one of the best crops of third basemen in a couple of decades – since the days of Mike Schmidt, Wade Boggs, George Brett, Scott Rolen, Paul Molitor, and later on we had Chipper and Adrian Beltre.

But creeping up the WAR list for third basemen since 1970 is… Donaldson.  He’s 22nd on fangraphs’ list, with a good chance of being in the Top 15 before he’s through.

If you narrow that year range to just the 2000’s, he’s 8th overall… ahead of Machado (14), Rendon (16), and Arenado (17).

All this to suggest that yes:  Donaldson’s been an asset in 2019… and a rare one at that.  The Braves do need to find a way to get him back.

But what if they can’t?  What happens then?

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