Yankees Jul 12, 2020; Bronx, New York, United States; A view of the New York Yankees logo and seat number of an empty seat during a simulated game during summer camp workouts at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
MLBBy Chris Novak on

The MLB world is buzzing over a huge decision the New York Yankees made on Tuesday. Third baseman Josh Donaldson is no longer on the team, as the Yankees released the former American League MVP.

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reported the news on Tuesday afternoon. Passan posted, “The New York Yankees have released third baseman Josh Donaldson.”

New York has struggled mightily this season, and while Donaldson isn’t the only problem, he’s not the solution either. He slashed .142/.225/.434 in 2023 with an OPS of just .659. He hit 15 home runs, but those homers were not nearly enough to keep him in the lineup consistently. In his last five games with the team, he went just 2-for-16 with three walks and one home run.

Yankee fans never really gravitated toward Donaldson. He was involved in a trade that sent Gio Urshela to Minnesota, and Donaldson and Isiah-Kiner Falefa were sent to New York. Donaldson certainly won’t get the Yankeeography treatment from YES Network someday. Donaldson hit .207 with an OPS of .678 in two seasons in pinstripes.

The Yankees have certainly had better luck with former MVP recipients. Donaldson won the 2016 AL MVP award then as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s seen a steep decline since that year and one that never seemed to get curbed while he was in the Bronx.

The MLB world reacted to the huge decision made by the Yankees.

[Jeff Passan]

About Chris Novak

Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022

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