Fansided

MLB Rumors: Tim Anderson trade, Cubs deadline plans, a Yankees mistake

By Mark Powell

Apr 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) reacts after a play during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) reacts after a play during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
MLB Rumors, Tim Anderson, Cubs, Yankees, Josh Donaldson
Josh Donaldson should be back in the Yankee lineup this week. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB Rumors: Yankees double down on Josh Donaldson, but why?

After the New York Yankees sent Aaron Hicks packing via a very expensive DFA, many fans wondered the same thing: Could Josh Donaldson be next?

As it turns out, Aaron Boone still has faith in Donaldson, even suggesting he could turn things around once he’s back in the fold.

Donaldson was sidelined with a hamstring injury in early April and hasn’t recovered since. He was on the road to recovery, but sliced his thumb in a kitchen accident shortly thereafter. As FanSided’s Marci Rubin pointed out, Donaldson cannot be counted on anymore:

"“Donaldson’s defense was solid last year, but his offensive production was abysmal. During the regular season, he hit .222 with a .682 OPS. In the 2022 postseason, he went 5-for-29 with 16 strikeouts. Donaldson was basically an automatic out during the playoffs. He batted .077 in 13 at bats during the American League Championship Series. Last season, he showed that he’s not able to keep up with the velocity of MLB pitching anymore. While 2023 is a small sample size, he hit .125 with one RBI in the first week of the season before going on the IL.”"

Add in that D.J. LeMahieu is playing third base at a consistent rate — and far better than Donaldson would if healthy — and it makes you wonder exactly what the Yanks plan is here. During spring training, Boone was emphatic that he expected a rebound year from his veteran third baseman.

“I think you’re crazy to think that a bounce-back is not in there offensively,” Boone said.

So, is this more about being right, or making the correct decision for the team moving forward? Hal Steinbrenner may not want to eat that much money, but unless Donaldson is okay being a very expensive bench piece, he doesn’t make the Yankees better.

Home/MLB Rumors