Josh Donaldson was the Yankees’ high-profile offseason acquisition, but the aging third baseman never panned out offensively throughout the regular season, and flatlined at the plate in the postseason, striking out multiple times in seven straight games.
Donaldson is set to make another $25 million next season, leading many to wonder if the Yanks would try to unload the former MVP and his bloated salary this offseason. But both Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone expressed hope that Donaldson will bounce back in 2023.
“Age always is a factor,” Boone said. “I was blown away at how good he played third. You could make a case that the age didn’t show up there. I knew we were getting a good third baseman, I didn’t know we were getting that good of one.
“Coming out of the lockout, coming to a new team out of spring training, he didn’t have a lot of time to build, and I just felt like he never got on track and got on that extended hot streak where he built momentum and now we’re rolling.”
Donaldson was indeed a premier defender at the hot corner, but his bat in the middle of the lineup was a consistent issue for the Yankee offense throughout the season, and after the disastrous offensive showing in the playoffs, Donaldson’s stock didn’t seem too high heading into his age 37 season. But Boone expects more in what will be his second season in pinstripes.
“I think part of that was just one of those years where it was hard for him to get that consistency all the time,” Boone said. “Tough to say if that’s age related or one of those seasons where he can have a down year by his standards. The game is hard.
“I still think he has a lot in there. I think he was better than he showed this year. We feel that way. It’s not 2015…obviously there’s some age there. But I would say physically, I still feel like he has a lot in there on the offensive side to still be really productive.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
Listen live to WFAN:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker (just say ‘Play W-F-A-N’)
