Atlanta Braves’ pursuit of Josh Donaldson has a tough opponent
It isn’t exclusively down to two teams, but it does appear that the race for Josh Donaldson’s signature might be down to the Nationals and Braves.
There is a big push going on right now from the Washington Nationals as they are trying to pry Josh Donaldson away from the Atlanta Braves.
This evening, there’s multiple reports that the Nationals are making what could be their final push to get the best third baseman remaining on the free agent market… a move that would both add to their offense (truthfully: maintain its level from last season) while insuring that the Braves do not reap such benefits.
Here are those reports:
The #Nats continue to go hard after Josh Donaldson, willing to pay $90-plus million for four years.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 16, 2019
Nats are in heavy on Donaldson. Braves likely get last call but Washington is aggressive. Nats were still in on Rendon after Strasburg, so they would seem to have the $. JD in great position but question is: Will he hit $100M? Rangers, Dodgers, Phillies, Twins also linked to JD
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 16, 2019
The advantage that the Nationals will probably try to leverage is their penchant for offering contracts with deferred funds.
That doesn’t help them in terms of baseball’s luxury tax calculations, but it does serve to moderate their immediate spending… which can result in a higher offer overall.
Other teams have been picking up on this practice a bit: on Sunday, Madison Bumgarner accepted a deal with Arizona that defers $15 million to a later date. The Nationals, however, seem to be making the practice a corporate policy – having exercised this clause with a pile of their players (both current and past).
Meanwhile, the Braves will probably have to step up to retain the services of former MVP Donaldson.
If these leaks are accurate, it would require Atlanta to go into a payroll territory that they’ve never occupied before: something in the immediate neighborhood of $155 million… and that’s still with a couple of roster slots still unoccupied.
Next. Mail Call!. dark
This ramp-up of effort seems to suggest that we’re now at the 11th hour of negotiations. It’s quite possible we could hear of a decision at virtually any time.