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.
MLB Rumors: Is a Tim Anderson trade in the works?
Yes, the Chicago White Sox will likely sell at the trade deadline. No, that does not mean they will send away Tim Anderson, one of the best shortstops in baseball when healthy.
Anderson made back-to-back All-Star teams prior to this season, but like most of the White Sox, he has disappointed the fanbase. He's slashing just .244/.284/.283 on the year with a .567 OPS. He's on the other side of 30 and has one more club option left on his contract. As things currently stand, Anderson will become a free agent after the 2024 season.
Do the White Sox want to risk losing him for nothing? By trading Anderson now, Chicago can assure to all suitors that they'll receive the All-Star for at least two postseason runs, if not more via a contract extension.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal suggested the Los Angeles Dodgers may be a fit, though he did backtrack slightly:
"I mentioned that White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson 'looks like a Dodger to me.' My inference was that Anderson makes sense as a logical trade target for the Dodgers, but on second thought, I might have spoken too soon…ultimately, the Dodgers might want him as part of a package from the White Sox. Anderson and Cease, perhaps? Anderson and Liam Hendriks?"
As Rosenthal mentions in his article, Anderson's defensive metrics have dropped the last few years due to injury. His value is at an all-time low, and a team like the Dodgers might want him packaged with another star who can aid a postseason run.
The fit, despite Anderson having quite a few World Baseball Classic friends on the Dodgers roster, would improve dramatically if paired with Cease or Hendriks.
MLB Rumors: What will Cubs do at the trade deadline?
In an article from Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Jed Hoyer discusses any and all things Cubs trade deadline plans. As of this writing, Chicago is below the .500 mark by five games, but still alive in the NL Central race thanks to poor play from the rest of the division. Manager David Ross put it best:
"Thank goodness for the s—-y play of everybody in the division."
Yet, Hoyer has to look past that, along with general manager Carter Hawkins. If this Cubs team built to win for the long haul, or should they sell off some high-priced rentals and improve next year's team and beyond?
"It's a real factor in every season, right? Whether you're looking for reinforcements, whether it's a year where you're selling, every team has it. You want to act with conviction when you get there — either direction. Like I've said all along, I want nothing more than to be on the (buy) side of the transaction," Hoyer said.
Yet, the Cubs has almost always sold of late. Fans are tired of it. Even after signing Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger this offseason, Chicago's retooling might not be done. Bellinger, along with Marcus Stroman, are two star-caliber players the Cubs could move at the deadline. Both could be free agents this offseason, which is why the organization would consider getting as much back for them as they can.
"How we play over the next month is very important," Hoyer said. "It's not early forever."
Hoyer continued to back manager David Ross, as well, suggesting he's doing a good job with the talent he has. Overall, Hoyer's comments weren't what Cubs fans wanted to hear at this point in the season, but they're the honest truth.
If things don't improve, expect more familiar faces headed out the door.