It’s been rumored for years now, but it’s time to quit playing around. The St. Louis Cardinals need to pull the trigger on Josh Donaldson.
One of the biggest needs for the Cardinals is the position of 3rd Base. As much as I like Jedd Gyorko, it doesn’t seem like he will ever fully take over the position. Yairo Muñoz played a super utility role across the entire field, but he is far from your long term answer.
You have guys coming up. All you need is a few years. Thankfully, the price of Donaldson seems to work perfectly for the Cardinals. He is going to be 33 going into next season and will most likely want a 2-4 year contract. That’s the perfect amount of time for St. Louis. The Cardinals don’t need Josh Donaldson long term, but in the meantime, he will make your team better. This past season I predicted that Josh Donaldson would become a Cardinal. I was wrong but the Cardinals have a chance to make that happen this year. Not lying down the road, Nolan Gorman looks set to take over for the Cardinals. The 18 year old has been impressive in his limited time in the Minor Leagues, batting .291 with 17 HR and a .949 OPS across rookie ball and single-A Peoria.
But now is the time for Donaldson to take over. Donaldson has been hit hard with injuries over the past few years, but when he is healthy, he is an impact bat. Many Cardinal fans were upset that Donaldson went to Cleveland over St. Louis at the trade deadline. One could argue that Donaldson could have given them a couple more games towards a playoff berth. Donaldson hit .246 on the season but had an OPS of .801 which is considerably better than the Cardinals had at 3B in 2018.
If the Cardinals don’t get a Manny Machado or Andrelton Simmons to take over at SS, Donaldson is a perfect choice at 3B, and you get to keep Paul DeJong at SS. You’ve seen how well DeJong has adjusted at SS, and shifting him to 3B could bring some growing pains defensively for him. If you bring in Donaldson, that doesn’t happen.
The Cardinals may not spend 300 Million on Harper or Machado, so I think 60 Million might be a little easier for them. Like I said before, he has always been rumored with the Cardinals. Don’t let it be a rumor. Sign the guy.
He is a former MVP. I guarantee you that there is still something there. I’d love to see him in a Cardinals Uniform, and so should you.
Mo’s Algorithm on Twitter
Please provide any evidence that Josh Donaldson isn’t good anymore. I beg you. https://t.co/YzQtgCp2SD
What are your thoughts?
Thanks for Reading
Aaron M.
Twitter: @AaronArchCity
