This offseason, much attention was focused on the minimal spending by the Minnesota Twins. While concerns primarily revolved around anticipated revenue losses, there were evident lessons derived from past experiences that were recognized and implemented.
Leading up to last year’s trade deadline, the Twins chose to maintain their roster after facing repercussions from deals made in the preceding season. A parallel can be drawn between the Twins’ reluctance to invest in top free agents and the outcome of signing Josh Donaldson.
Although Donaldson has likely faded from most people’s minds – as he should – the aftermath of the significant contract Minnesota offered him remains a predominant memory for fans. This was highlighted as news of his retirement from professional baseball circulated on Monday.
Former Minnesota Twins third baseman, Josh Donaldson, has confirmed his retirement from Major League Baseball
Donaldson made his retirement announcement on Monday, but it’s unlikely that many Twins fans will be celebrating his career with parades.
Josh Donaldson has announced his retirement after 13 seasons, three All-Star selections, two Silver Slugger Awards, and 2015 AL MVP honors. pic.twitter.com/7XUZDZ4PxS
— MLB (@MLB) March 4, 2024
Donaldson joined the Twins as a high-priced free agent but failed to meet expectations. The front office made a bold move by signing him to a four-year, $92 million contract in 2020, only to regret it soon after. He played just 28 games in his first season, drawing more attention for off-field controversies than his performance on the field. Over his two years with Minnesota, he posted a batting line of .244/.355/.474 but was often in the news for social media rants and stirring up opposing fans, leaving a contentious legacy.
Reports suggest that Donaldson’s behavior caused friction with teammates, leading to his trade before the start of the third year of his contract. Despite falling short of expectations as a core player, his trade to the Yankees brought back Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela to the Twins, ultimately benefiting the team as it paved the way for Royce Lewis to step in.
Donaldson’s stint with the Yankees was marred by a suspension for making racist remarks to Tim Anderson, underscoring the drama that followed him. His retirement highlights the risks of pursuing high-profile signings, particularly in a time when fans are critical of the team’s spending decisions.
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