Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman
Josh Donaldson(20) reacts as he round third base on the three-run home run by designated hitter
Brandon Moss(37) against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Last night, rumors were swirling that the Oakland Athletics should trade Josh Donaldson following another season that ended in postseason heartbreak. While there are players that both could be, or even should be on the move, Josh Donaldson is not one of them.
For starters, Donaldson is statistically one of the best players in baseball. According to ESPN’s rankings, JD ranked third in baseball in WAR with a 7.42 mark. The two players above him are both being mentioned heavily in MVP races in their respective leagues, Mike Trout (7.87) and Clayton Kershaw (7.54).
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Unlike Trout, however, Donaldson has accumulated his high WAR from both offensive and defensive showings, with a 5.04 oWAR, and 2.69 on defense. The 5.04 ranks him 14th in baseball in the category, while his defensive prowess moves him up to 7th. It’s the combination of these two that moves him up to third overall. Mike Trout did all of his damage on offense, with an 8.7 oWAR, and his defense, according to ESPN, is what brought his total down.
We have one of the most well-rounded players in baseball, at a key position, why not trade him and rebuild for next season? Well, Josh Donaldson isn’t set to hit free agency until 2019. That’s four more years of Rain in Oakland, with each year being an arbitration year, meaning he should be fairly affordable. The key word: affordable.
The haul would be tremendous for Donaldson, but what team out there would give up the bounty that would be asked for in return? Josh Donaldson is the exact player the Athletics and their fans have been waiting for: a superstar. He has late-game magic, smashing three game-winning home runs in 2014. He’s gritty, playing with injuries for the better part of the last month. Donaldson puts it all on the line, every game.
If you believe that the trade of Yoenis Cespedes wrecked team chemistry, then getting rid of Donaldson would burn the team to the ground. Outside of the oft-inured Coco Crisp, nearly everyone else on the roster is a platoon player. Not only would the team likely be in shambles, but the fans would likely revolt, and the “trade Billy Beane” crowd would get a few more members.
That is a player that you build around, not use for spare parts. If Donaldson does get traded, it will be because of the fear of a decline in numbers moving forward, and wanting to maximize the return for the All-Star third baseman.
If JD does go, he will bring rain to a lot of tear ducts.