Former Braves 3B Josh Donaldson released by Yankees; is a reunion likely?

Would Atlanta pick up Josh Donaldson off of waivers for the stretch run?

Former Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson was released by the New York Yankees today. 

Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees released INF Josh Donaldson from the roster.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 29, 2023

Donaldson, who played with Atlanta in 2019 and was the 2015 AL MVP during his time in Toronto, played in only 33 games this season for the Yankees as he dealt with calf and hamstring injuries; he batted .142/.225/.434 in 120 plate appearances. 

Back in 2019, Donaldson was on a one-year contract for $23M with Atlanta and turned in a year closer to that MVP form Toronto - he batted .259/.379/.521 in 155 games with 37 home runs and 94 RBIs. Donaldson was an 11th place finisher in the MVP voting that season. 

Donaldson was on the 60-day IL at the time of his release; he was both throwing and hitting and was preparing for a rehab assignment soon, but the Yankees have promoted several young prospects and didn't want to balance the play time between youngsters and an expiring contract in Donaldson. 

The logistics here are interesting - Donaldson will be on release waivers until 1 PM ET tomorrow, where (if unclaimed) he'll become an unrestricted free agent. Players who are unsigned have until September 1st to sign with an organization to be eligible for the postseason roster. 

Donaldson was in the final year of a 4-yr, $92M contract originally signed with the Minnesota Twins. The contract features a mutual 2024 option for $16M with a $6M buyout - any team that signs Donaldson after 1PM tomorrow will be on the hook for only the league minimum salary for a veteran, a prorated $720,000. 

Ultimately, I don't think Atlanta brings Donaldson in for the stretch run. Yes, they'll have an additional position player spot available starting Friday when rosters expand, but he's really confined to just a corner infield spot. Barring some sort of injury to either Austin Riley or Matt Olson, there's no play time available for Donaldson and it feels like Atlanta will use that one extra position player spot on a speedy pinch runner over a 37 year-old corner infielder. 

You never know, though. 

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