The Texas Rangers have “expressed interest” in third baseman Josh Donaldson, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The Texas Rangers have expressed interest in Josh Donaldson as they head into an offseason in which they have money to spend. The Rangers are making third base and starting pitching a priority, and Donaldson is coming off a phenomenal season with Atlanta.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 8, 2019
MLB Network Insider Mark Feinsand reiterated Passan’s point about the Rangers, adding that the Philadelphia Phillies “are among the teams” that have interest in Donaldson.
Donaldson, 33, will be a free agent within a week, assuming he declines the $17.8 million qualifying offer he was tendered by the Atlanta Braves on Monday.
The former Blue Jay and 2015 American League MVP is coming off a one-year, $23 million deal with the Braves. According to Passan, the Rangers are looking to make third base a priority. Texas ranked 16th in WAR at the third base position last year (0.8), according to Baseball Reference.
Donaldson accrued 6.1 bWAR in 2019, including 37 home runs and a .900 OPS in 155 games.
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