The former MVP was only with the Atlanta Braves for a short period, but he had a significant impact throughout his tenure.
The Atlanta Braves have had some excellent third basemen throughout their history. From all-time greats like Eddie Mathews, Chipper Jones, Terry Pendleton, and Bob Horner to current MVP candidate Austin Riley, plenty of talent has passed through the “hot corner” in Atlanta.
One of their talents is the ability to permanently hang them.
Josh Donaldson, who played for the Braves in 2019, announced his retirement today on The Hot Corner with Sean Casey.
Donaldson was one of Alex Anthopolos’ first significant free-agent acquisitions, signing a one-year contract worth $23 million for the 2019 season. And the gamble paid off for Atlanta, as Donaldson hit.259/.379/.521 with 37 home runs and 94 RBIs as the Braves won the NL East and faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Divisional Series.
However, the team’s inability to reach an agreement on a multi-year contract with “The Bringer of Rain,” combined with the emergence of Austin Riley as a third-base option, prompted Atlanta to look elsewhere for offense after the season, eventually signing Marcell Ozuna to a one-year deal to serve as a designated hitter and occasional left fielder.
Donaldson, meanwhile, would sign a multi-year contract with the Minnesota Twins, which would see him moved to the New York Yankees midway through. He was released before the end of last season and spent the final weeks with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Donaldson, who will retire at the age of 38, has had a successful career in Major League Baseball. Donaldson, drafted in the first round of 2007 out of nearby Auburn University, was the 2015 American League MVP, winning the award in his first season with the Toronto Blue Jays after batting.291/.371/.568 and leading the league in runs scored (122), RBIs (123), and total bases (352). He is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger, with four top-ten MVP finishes and two down-ballot votes outside of those years.
Congrats on your MLB career, Josh, and best wishes!
