Rumors: Texas Rangers Targeting Josh Donaldson in Free Agency

In a rumor that popped up over the weekend, the Texas Rangers are interested in third baseman and former MVP, Josh Donaldson, this offseason.

While this does fall into the category of a rumor, it was basically assumed knowledge at this point that the Texas Rangers would be interested in free agent Josh Donaldson this winter. Jeff Passan of ESPN confirmed this for us on Twitter noting that the Rangers, along with the Phillies, are registering an interest in the former MVP who most recently applied his trade on a one-year, $24 million deal in Atlanta.

This rumor makes a ton of sense with the Rangers having an Adrian Beltre sized hole at third base since the future Hall of Famer retired at the end of the 2018 season. Last year Texas tried to plug in Asdrubal Cabrera at third with mixed results that resulted in him being waived part way through the year. Then Texas tried a mixture of Logan Forsythe, Nick Solak, Danny Santana and Isiah Kiner-Falefa and while the results weren’t disastrous, none should be considered the future starting third baseman.

Donaldson fills that role better than just about any option available to Texas. Aside from Anthony Rendon, Donaldson is the best third baseman on the free agent market and the only guy possibly available via trade at that caliber is Kris Bryant. Rendon is going to come with a massive contract, projected by Fangraphs to be 7 years, $210 million. That salary could go higher with rumors that he turned down an identical extension offer from the Nationals during the season. Rendon also comes with the added cost of losing a draft pick because Washington has extended him a qualifying offer.

Bryant won’t command nearly as much as Donaldson or Rendon considering he’s just now set for his first arbitration pay increase. However, he’s only go two more years of team control and that combined with the prospect haul it would take to land him likely takes Texas out of the mix in his potential market.

Fangraphs predicts a Donaldson contract at three years, $60 million which seems a fair price for the soon to be 34-year old. He’s coming off a fantastic season in which he hit .259 for the Braves with 37 homers and a .900 OPS. His 4.9 fWAR would’ve led the Rangers last year and not only does he produce at the plate, but he was stellar defensively. Like Rendon, Donaldson has been extended a qualifying offer meaning any deal with another club comes with draft pick compensation. However, for the Rangers, who are looking to be competitive in 2020, adding Donaldson’s bat to the middle of the order and his glove in the infield would be a big upgrade for the organization.