Although the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly were focused on Gerrit Cole during his free agency, they additionally had been linked to other players, including, Josh Donaldson, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, among others.
Despite their reported interest in Rendon, the Dodgers never extended a contract offer before he signed a seven-year deal with the L.A. Angels. With Rendon off the market, Donaldson now is the best position player available.
In addition to the Dodgers, he’s field interest from the Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals. Recent indications were the Nationals began to more aggressively pursue signing the 34-year-old.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers are still involved with Donaldson but the Nationals may be motivated to outbid all clubs involved:
On the Donaldson market: #Dodgers still in, but teams in bidding fear #Nationals will go big on either a four-year deal or three-year contract with a high AAV. A four-year deal would extend through Donaldson’s age 37 season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 17, 2019
Even with being linked to Donaldson and Rendon, the Dodgers don’t have a specific need at third base, which presumably will influence their possible bidding. Conversely, the Nationals of course are looking to fill a significant void with Rendon leaving in free agency.
That possibility was thought to be a factor for the Braves as well, as there wouldn’t be a clear-cut replacement. Donaldson signed a one-year deal with Atlanta last winter in effort to re-establish his value.
He went on to bat .259/.379/.521 with 33 doubles, 37 home runs and 94 RBI, and also provided steady defense at third base. Donaldson was voted the 2019 Players Choice National League Comeback Player of the Year.
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