The New York Yankees fired third baseman Josh Donaldson on Tuesday, capping off a brief and dismal stay for the reigning American League MVP as the Yankees grapple with the decisions that placed them in last place.
According to ESPN, the Yankees also put outfielder Harrison Bader on waivers on Tuesday.
Donaldson, 37, was acquired in a trade from the Minnesota Twins soon after the lockout ended in March 2022. Despite the fact that the last two years of his deal are worth $50 million ($21 million in 2022 and 2023, plus a $8 million buyout on a 2024 option), the Yankees had hoped the three-time All-Star would help stabilise the third base position and boost their offence.
Donaldson was hampered by injuries and ineffectiveness this year after a difficult 2022 season in which he ended with a.222/.308/.374 slash line. He blasted 10 home runs in 33 games but batted.142/.225/.434.
Donaldson was put on the disabled list by the Yankees from April 5 to June 2 due to a strained right hamstring. Donaldson was disabled by a strained calf in mid-July, and the Yankees put him on the 60-day injured list, expecting him to miss the most of the season.
Despite the fact that Donaldson is now fit and on his way back, the Yankees released him, giving him the option to sign with a club that will provide him playing time. Donaldson is likely to pass waivers at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and he will be eligible for the playoffs if he is on a team’s roster by Friday.
Bader, 29, was acquired last season in a deal for left-hander Jordan Montgomery and was hitting.242 with seven home runs this season.
With a record of 63-68, the Yankees sit in last place in the AL East and are on the brink of their first sub-.500 season since 1992. Donaldson, who was traded for shortstop Gio Urshela and catcher Gary Sanchez along with utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt, has been chastised by fans who are disgruntled by the Yankees’ collapse following six straight postseason appearances.
Donaldson’s first season with the Yankees was also tarnished by a one-game ban from Major League Baseball, which was imposed when Donaldson referred to Chicago White Sox star Tim Anderson as “Jackie” – a reference to Jackie Robinson, who broke MLB’s colour barrier in 1947. Donaldson apologised to Anderson, who is Black, but claimed the remark was “disrespectful” and “unnecessary.”
Donaldson was one of the finest players in baseball during his heyday. He earned the AL MVP in 2015 with the Toronto Blue Jays and was resurrected four years later with the Atlanta Braves, convincing the Twins to grant him a four-year, $92 million free agency deal.
Donaldson and the Twins were never a good fit, so Minnesota looked for takers. The Yankees obliged, and his tenure in pinstripes ended less than two years later.
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