Josh Donaldson agrees to one-year deal with Braves

Josh Donaldson. (Ron Schwane/AP)

Former American League MVP Josh Donaldson has agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves worth $23 million, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

The team confirmed the signing late on Monday.

Donaldson battled health issues in 2018, with shoulder and calf injuries limiting the third baseman to just 52 games. The Toronto Blue Jays traded him to the Cleveland Indians at the Aug. 31 waiver deadline. The 32-year-old hit .246/.352/.449 with eight home runs on the season between Toronto and Cleveland.

The move reunites Donaldson with former Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who now holds the same position with the Braves. Anthopoulos was the man behind the trade that sent Donaldson to Toronto from Oakland on Nov. 28, 2014.

A one-year deal allows Donaldson to rebuild some of the value lost by his injury-plagued campaign. He will have another chance at a longer-term deal when he hits free agency following the 2019 season.

Atlanta was one of MLB’s biggest surprises last season, riding its young core to a National League East championship. The Braves were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.

The Braves reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with veteran catcher Brian McCann earlier Monday.

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