Atlanta Braves: Kris Bryant is a better option than Josh Donaldson

The Atlanta Braves need a third baseman and Josh Donaldson’s market is heating up. The Braves are rumored to be involved in the bidding, but is Donaldson the best option for the Braves in 2020?

With the Atlanta Braves now in a bidding-war for Josh Donaldson‘s services with NL East rivals and defending World Champion, Washington Nationals, the stakes are very high. There are still other teams reported to be in the mix, but the Braves are not only trying to prevent themselves from taking a step back but trying to stay a step ahead of the Nationals.

I very much enjoyed having Josh Donaldson on the Braves last season. I’m going to present an argument that Kris Bryant is a better option over Donaldson. I will also admit, I’m conflicted. I haven’t allowed myself to accept the notion of Bryant as an option yet, so here goes…

This article is an inspection and comparison of their stats from the perspective that Bryant is the better option. I believe my fellow Braves’ fans will agree that we’ll be happy with either one of these guys. I’ll be happy to root for Riley or Camargo at third.

But allow me to prognosticate and speculate, let’s take a look at why Kris Byrant might be the better option in 2020 over Josh Donaldson.

Career Stats Compared

Games Played
Bryant: 706
Donaldson: 1038

Home Runs
Bryant: 138
Donaldson: 219

Slash Lines
Bryant: .284/.385/.516
Donaldson: .273/369/.509

OPS+
Bryant: 136
Donaldson: 136

Age
Bryant: 27
Donaldson: 34

Price Tag
Donaldson: $25+ million per year.
Bryant:    $18.5 million in 2020.

Donaldson – Three players were head and shoulders above the rest of the free-agent market at third base this year. Anthony Rendon, Josh Donaldson, and Mike Moustakas were the cream of the crop. The drop off after those three is steep. It’s so steep that the second tier of available third basemen is all in the trade market.

The scrap-heap of free agency consists of solid players, but not the big names the playoff contenders are looking for. Guys like Ryon Healy, Jedd Gyorko, and Todd Frazier* are there for the more cost-conscious teams.

*I love those guys, by the way.

Tomahawk Take’s Fred Owens has some great ideas for plan B’s at third base below:

Bryant – The price tag on Bryant is a little more difficult to ascertain. We’d have to pay his $18.5 million paycheck, but a part of that can be offset depending on which players we send back to the Cubs. Additionally, his $18.5 million is an absolute steal compared to other players of his ilk.

Bryant has proven his worth over the past five years. His numbers stack up favorably with the absolute best the game has to offer. Here’s a look at how he stacks up with Anthony Rendon – who just signed a contract with an AAV of $35 million.

Games Played
Bryant: 706
Rendon: 916

Home Runs
Bryant: 138
Rendon: 136

Slash Lines
Bryant: .284/.385/.516
Rendon: .290/.369/.490

OPS+
Bryant: 136
Rendon: 126

It’s easy to argue that Bryant has been a better player than Rendon and Donaldson to this point. So which players do you give up to make up for his relatively small price tag?