Prove It Deals
The Washington Nationals are now in need of a third baseman a little bit earlier than they had anticipated. With nobody in the Minors ready to take over, Rizzo turns to the free agent market again to try to find Rendon’s replacement.
Josh Donaldson is the perfect candidate to take over. Another guy who needs to stay healthy, but when he’s healthy he can be unbelievable, as seen during his 2015 MVP season. Both Donaldson and Rizzo will be looking for a one year deal here, so this works out perfectly.
Donaldson will be looking to regain his value and hit free agency again next season, while Rizzo has Kieboom in the minors and may have his sights set on Nolan Arenado after the 2019 season. Donaldson knows he’s going to have to take a lower base salary than he initially anticipated prior to the season, but the two sides hammer out a one year deal with some easily achievable incentives and suddenly things aren’t looking so bad in D.C.
Contract signed: Josh Donaldson signs a 1 year $12.5 million deal.
With the infield now intact, Rizzo moves onto the bench, which is missing a left-handed platoon option for first base. Matt Adams and Adam Lind have filled the role admirably the past two seasons, but this year, the Nationals roll the dice on Logan Morrison having a bounce back year.
After a down year with the Twins where Morrison hit just .186 with 15 home runs, the Twins made the easy decision to decline their portion of the $8 million player option for the 2019 season. Mike Rizzo immediately circles Morrison’s name as the guy he wants to be his left-handed power hitter off the bench.
Morrison asks for money similar to what he got when he signed with the Twins last offseason, which Rizzo balks at after coming off his worst season as a pro. The two sides settle on a one year deal with a mutual option, just like his old contract, but at a cheaper rate.
Contract signed: Logan Morrison signs a 1 year, $3 million contract with a mutual option in 2020 for $6.5 million.