Third baseman Josh Donaldson failed to live up to expectations in his first year with the New York Yankees in 2022, prompting speculation that he could be traded, released or even retire.
With a crowded infield and numerous prospects pushing for playing time, Donaldson finds himself facing pressure to produce.
Donaldson doesn’t seem affected by it all, though. He told Jon Heyman of the New York Post that he’s not looking to hang up his cleats.
“I’m not trying to walk away right now. I hold myself to a high standard. I don’t need to play the game for financial reasons anymore. I play the game because I love to compete and I love the camaraderie. I feel like I have something to offer this game. And I have some incentive to bounce back after last year. I feel like I have something to prove to myself. And I feel like I can.”
Defensively, Donaldson — who turned 37 in December — was still among the game’s best at third base in 2022. Offensively, however, things cratered.
Last season, he hit .222/.308/.374 in 546 plate appearances. That slash line and the resulting .682 OPS were the lowest marks of his career. He struck out 148 times, a mark he had exceeded only once before.
New York already has a crowded infield that only becomes more complex each day with top prospect Anthony Volpe, a shortstop, making the case for a place on the Opening Day roster. Manager Aaron Boone already must find ways to work DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres and Oswald Peraza into the lineup regularly.
That’s not even considering Oswaldo Cabrera (when he’s not in the outfield mix) or Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Something must give.
In spring training last year, New York acquired Donaldson, Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt from Minnesota for catcher Gary Sanchez and third baseman Gio Urshela. The deal has not looked great to date for New York.
In addition to Donaldson’s struggles, Kiner-Falefa had a rough season before losing playing time to Peraza late in the season and Rortvedt has dealt with injury issues (knee, shoulder).
Donaldson is due to earn $21 million in 2023, the last guaranteed year on a contract he signed with the Twins prior to the 2020 season.
