House That Hank Built
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Top 6 free agents most likely to sign with Braves after Travis d’Arnaud signing

By Seth Carter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves fields a ball against the New York Mets during the game at SunTrust Park on April 14, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves fields a ball against the New York Mets during the game at SunTrust Park on April 14, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /
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Josh Donaldson being honored as a player deemed to be more valuable than the rest of his teammates in 2015. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Josh Donaldson being honored as a player deemed to be more valuable than the rest of his teammates in 2015. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Josh Donaldson

The chances of the Braves winning the Josh Donaldson sweepstakes are getting worse. Of course, with all of the teams interested in the slugger already, the speculation is that the market might be driving his price out of the range the Braves were willing to pay.

Donaldson does come with risk, he is heading into his age-34 season and will most likely be looking for a minimum of three years with big money.

Nonetheless, he was a difference-maker for Atlanta last season and I don’t know anyone that actively opposes Donaldson bringing the umbrella back to Atlanta in 2020. I know I would be very thankful if I hear Donaldson had re-upped with the Braves.

With the revenues skyrocketing for Atlanta since the move to Cobb county, it’s possible they are considering expanding the payroll.

There may need to be some combination of a willingness to exceed the $120 million opening day mark they have hovered around the last couple of years, and potentially non-tendering/trading Shane Greene, who is due to receive between $6-7 million in arbitration.

Prior to the d’Arnaud signing, the Braves had about $100 million on the books (including projected arbitration salaries).

After the d’Arnaud signing, the Braves now have a full 40-man roster. It still gives us about $12 million in budget-space to reach that $120 million mark.

If Shane Greene is non-tendered – and we could afford to lose him with the depth – that is much needed wiggle-room to bring Donaldson back home. Yes, it’s his home…even though he was only here for a year. I’m calling it his home, willing it to happen.

The drawback to signing Donaldson is the hit we will have to take in the starting rotation. Soroka is the number one, then we have a combination of Max Fried and Mike Foltynewicz.

In this scenario, Sean Newcomb will have to slot in as another left-handed option, and the Braves will have to come up with someone to take the fifth spot.

There are options, but none of them are sure things.

More so now, as the budget tightens, signing Donaldson will put a squeeze on our staff. Are the Braves willing to sacrifice starting pitching for a huge commitment to Josh Donaldson?

Circumstances have certainly made this less likely, that is why he is listed fifth on the list.

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