News

Former MLB All-Star Josh Donaldson Signs 4-Year, $92 Million Contract With Twins

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, sources said third baseman Josh Donaldson signed a four-year, $92 million contract with the Minnesota Twins Tuesday night. The contract stipulates the Florida native will receive $84 million over the first four years and includes a $16 million club option with an $8 million buyout. The $92 million is guaranteed and he has the chance to make $12 million more with incentives.

The 34-year-old was an MLB All-Star from 2014-2016 and was named American League MVP in 2015. His performance that year helped lead Toronto back to the playoffs for the first time since 1993. He finished the season batting .297 with 41 homeruns and 123 RBIs. He also finished first in runs scored with 122.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

In 2016, he continued to perform well posting a .284 average with 37 homeruns and 99 RBIs, but after battling shoulder inflamation and calf issues, Donaldson only played made 165 appearances in 2017-18.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Donaldson returned to good form last season with the Braves after signing a one-year contract worth $23 million. He played 155 games and posted a .259 average with 37 homeruns and 94 RBIs. His defensive ability at third base made him a finalist for the National League Gold Glove award and helped Atlanta win its second straight NL East Title.

Going into the offseason it seemed Minnesota’s main focus would be addressing their pitching rotation. Although the team won the AL Central with an excellent 101-61 record, they gave up 23 runs against the Yankees in the AL Division series and were swept 3-0. Donaldson adds more power to a Twins’ lineup that hit an MLB record 307 homeruns last season. They also scored 939 runs, which was good enough for second behind the Yankees.

His glove at third base will also help improve Minnesota’s poor infield defense. One analytical formula used to determine if a player is better or worse than an average fielder at preventing runs is defensive runs saved. The entire Twins’ infield was in the bottom half of the league with a minus-15 rating. Last season with the Braves Donaldson was plus-15, second best at his position in the MLB.

 

 

Frank DeLorenzo

Recent Posts

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

17 hours ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

17 hours ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago

Aaron Rodgers Expresses Interest In 2025 Return, But The Jets Have Bigger Problems

Reporters asked quarterback Aaron Rodgers if he intended to return to the New York Jets…

4 days ago