Josh Donaldson will be one of the focal points of the spring for the Yankees, after the former MVP labored through one of the worst seasons of his career in his debut season with New York last year.
Many expected the Yanks to try and move Donaldson and his bloated salary after his year-long struggles at the plate negated his strong season at the hot corner, but manager Aaron Boone expects a return towards Donaldson’s career norm in 2023, and doesn’t see last season as the beginning of the end for the 37-year-old.
“We’re talking about a great player,” Boone told reporters on Tuesday. “This has been a star player, and consistently, for a long time. He’s not far removed from 2021, when he was still a wrecking ball. I think last year, with the lockout, probably came in a little behind the eight ball.
“I think he had an amazing winter. Physically, he looks great, his assessments, everything, he’s moving really well.”
Donaldson’s .682 OPS was the worst of his 12-year career, and struck out 148 times in 132 games. He was booed throughout the postseason, striking out in seven straight playoff games, but Boone expects those boos to turn to cheers in 2023.
“But the things he did this winter to get himself ready to go, I think you're crazy to think that a bounce-back is not in there offensively,” Boone said. “This guy still has bat speed, is super talented, and I think physically, at this point, in a much better place than he was a year ago.”
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