MLB Rumors: Aaron Boone speaks out about Josh Donaldson problem
Josh Donaldson has been benched frequently of late by the Yankees. He has just two non-home run hits this season, and has been rather one-dimensional for a New York team that needs productivity out of its lineup without Aaron Judge.
Aaron Boone met with Donaldson prior to his scheduled press conference, and commented on the looming issues between the two sides. Will the Yankees finally pull the trigger and eat Donaldson's money, or do they see a future with the veteran slugger contributing to the team on a regular basis?
"He's gonna (receive playing time)," Boone said, per The Athletic. "This is just a stretch where I felt like I wanted to give him a couple of days to kind of work through. That was just kind of my decision on that through this little stretch, but I expect him to get consistent at-bats."
Yankees fans are rightly tired of watching Donaldson. Boone and the Yankees front office have routinely been in Donaldson's corner, however, in what would seem like a ploy to get the most out of their investment. New York already paid the majority of Aaron Hicks' salary to rid themselves of his services. Doing the same with Donaldson would mean spending over $50 million to DFA two players.
Yes, the Yankees do like to spend money, but preferably for players who are contributing on a regular basis. For now, Donaldson can at least serve as a pinch-hitter when called upon.
"I think he should be an everyday player," Boone said. "This is a little reset that I decided, a moment in time, that I felt like a couple days were worth it."
While calling Donaldson an everyday player may be a bit of a stretch, it's unlikely New York parts ways with him until after the season.
MLB Rumors: Grading the latest Dodgers-Pirates trade
The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be active at the MLB trade deadline, most likely adding to their starting rotation in a series of roster moves. This is not one of those decisions.
Per FanSided MLB Insider Robert Murray, Los Angeles shipped struggling relief pitcher Andre Jackson to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Jackson was designated for assignment, as Murray reported, so the Dodgers were able to get something for him, even if it's merely cash considerations. The Pirates hope they can help Jackson return to form, as he's only 27 years old and had an ERA under three in both of his previous big-league seasons, albeit in limited playing time. Surely, at one point Los Angeles saw something in Jackson. But his 6.64 ERA in 2023 forced their hand.
MLB Trade Rumors highlighted Jackson's elevated walk rate this season as the source of his struggles, as well as his tendency to give up the long ball:
"While Jackson had a 2.11 ERA over 21 1/3 innings in 2021-22, things haven't gone as smoothly this year, as Jackson had a 6.62 ERA in 17 2/3 frames of work. The long ball has been Jackson's biggest nemesis, as after giving up just one home run in 2021-22, he has already allowed five homers this season. It isn't exactly a new problem for the right-hander, as he has trouble keeping the ball in the park over his three seasons at Triple-A (in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League)."
A stint in the minors with Pittsburgh could help Jackson reinvent himself. If not, it's a worthwhile risk for the Pirates considering they gave up no real assets.
Dodgers trade grade: B-
Pirates trade grade: B
MLB Rumors: Could the Braves enter the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes?
Atlanta makes sense as a Shohei Ohtani suitor in theory. Alex Anthopoulos has helped the Braves and Liberty Media save money in the past, specifically with long-term contracts for some of their star players like Ronald Acuña, Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Sean Murphy and Spencer Strider. It should be noted that most of these deals are below market value, as the Braves have a habit of signing these players when they are young, and yet to reach their full potential.
However, signing Ohtani to a $500 million-plus contract puts Atlanta out of their comfort zone, as FanSided's John Buhler notes in a recent article:
"While Alex Anthopoulos may give Ohtani an offer to come play for the Braves, it will not be anything close to what he will command on the open market. To the highest bidder Ohtani will go! Unless his desire to win is greater than alienating the entire MLBPA, Ohtani is not going to Atlanta."
Ohtani has reached his peak value. Anthopoulos will surely try to improve the major-league roster this offseason — and has plenty of questions to answer about the likes of Max Fried — but signing the top free agent of this class goes against the grain for an Atlanta team that is among the smartest front offices in the sport. Were they to add Shohei, it would limit their future roster moves in some capacity.
Shohei was approached earlier this season about what he values in a long-term suitor. Winning, it would appear, is above all else in his mind.
"I really like the team (Angels). I love the fans. I love the atmosphere of the team," Ohtani said through his interpreter, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. "But, more than that, I want to win. That's the biggest thing for me. I'll leave it at that."
Ohtani is tired of losing, but he's ready to make history. Barring anything unforeseen, he will become the highest-paid player in MLB history. It just won't come in Atlanta.
