Which MLB teams have the best chance to sign Josh Donaldson?

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 04: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after an RBI single off Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning in game two of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 04, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Miami Marlins during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

4. Philadelphia Phillies

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again, or something along those lines has to be the mantra for the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason. Two winters ago, the Phils signed Carlos Santana and Jake Arrieta and named Gabe Kapler their manager. Last winter, they landed Bryce Harper and traded for All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto. Two years after kicking off the “throw-money-at-it” phase of their rebuilding process, the Phillies still have not had a winning season since 2011 and will enter 2020 with a new manager, a depleted farm system and more money to burn on free agents.

Kapler took the fall for the team’s failure to launch, but he can’t take all the blame. Very few of the Phillies’ supposed top prospects have panned out, the Arrieta signing has been a disaster and Harper struggled in his first year. Philadelphia will have just over $20 million to offer free agents if they do not want to exceed the luxury-tax threshold, but will see over $35 million to Arrieta and Andrew McCutchen fall off the books by 2022. Taking a one-year hit on the luxury tax might not be the worst thing for the Phillies if they can reel in two big free agents.

Scott Kingery is penciled in as the starter at third base next season, but he is versatile enough to slide to the outfield if the Phillies can sign Josh Donaldson. As was the case with the Nationals, the Phillies may prefer to target the older Donaldson on a shorter deal than adding a second contract worth more than $200 million.

Philadelphia will have to convince Donaldson they’re ready to win right away. Harper obviously bought into the vision, and new manager Joe Girardi is another selling point. The Phillies were a mediocre team in 2019, but they still have a lot to offer a veteran like Donaldson.

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