After almost two seasons of poor performance, injuries, and even some controversies here and there, the New York Yankees have decided to release third baseman Josh Donaldson from his contract.
He will now be free to sign with any team of his liking.
Donaldson is currently in the last stages of his rehab from a calf strain, an injury that has derailed his entire 2023 season.
Initially, it was believed that the Yankees would call him up as soon as he was ready to play again, which is expected to be sometime in September.
The team, however, is prioritizing its prospects for the first time in a while and bringing back Donaldson would clog third base and potentially the DH spot, too.
There were all kinds of reactions to Donaldson’s release on Twitter.
He was, for example, featured in notorious Twitter account “Baseball Images that Precede Unfortunate Events” for obvious reasons.
— Baseball Images that Precede Unfortunate Events (@UnfortunateMLB) August 29, 2023
Most Yankees fans didn’t like Donaldson, and therefore expressed their happiness upon learning about the news.
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) August 29, 2023
Yankee fans rn pic.twitter.com/g0ecV59pdl
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) August 29, 2023
Of course, jokes were also plentiful.
Given the Los Angeles Dodgers’ proven abilities to turn seemingly average players into stars, people joked that they would pick up Donaldson and turn him into prime Alex Rodriguez.
Donaldson’s .910 OPS with the Dodgers next year is gonna STING
— Fungo Baseball (@FungoMedia) August 29, 2023
Dude is going to sign with the Dodgers and regain MVP form.
— The Astros Locker WS Champs (@TheAstrosLocker) August 29, 2023
The Bringer of Rain is about to go bananas for another team
— Robbie Hyde (@gingersnaphyde) August 29, 2023
It’s fair to say that Donaldson’s stint with the Yankees was a total failure.
In 165 games, he hit .207/.293/.385 with 25 homers across 666 plate appearances.
That’s not what the Yanks had in mind when they flipped two of their 2021 starters, catcher Gary Sanchez and third baseman Gio Urshela, to the Minnesota Twins for Donaldson, Ben Rortvedt, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
