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Josh Donaldson is off the board, and he went to a team that didn't seem to need his services.
Donaldson, who was the solution at third base for more than a dozen of the lineups in our Offseason Plan Project, ended up going to the Atlanta Braves for a one-year, $23 million contract.
(In the process, Atlanta also buried the return of Brian McCann for $2 million. He replaces Kurt Suzuki, who went to Washington.)
It's a fascinating move on multiple levels, first and foremost because the Braves didn't appear to have room at the infield. They got fine production this past season from Johan Camargo, a 24-year-old who posted a 116 OPS+ with well-regarded defense. Now Camargo might be a utility infielder. Or maybe he'll move to shortstop and force Dansby Swanson out of a starting job.
There's also no DH spot to shuttle Donaldson to if his shoulder causes the same defensive issues he had last season. His strong finish with the Indians -- .280/.400/.520 with three homers over 16 games -- suggests a rebound is imminent, and he's really betting on himself with a one-year deal considering Nolan Arenado and Anthony Rendon hit free agency after the 2019 season. He didn't have a qualifying offer weighing him down this year, either.
Outside of the lack of a pressing need, the Braves make sense for Donaldson in the usual categories -- average annual value, contending status, and even geography (he was born in Alabama and attended Auburn). But with Donaldson off the board, Manny Machado might become even more important to teams looking for an upgrade at third base.
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One of those teams is the Phillies, but if Jon Morosi's source is any indication, they may not be in the mood to wait around for him.
For weeks, the baseball industry has identified the Phillies as a probable destination for Bryce Harper, Manny Machado or both.
But what if Philadelphia spends aggressively this offseason … yet lands neither?
That scenario is very much in play, sources say.
The Phillies aren't waiting on decisions from Harper and Machado as the team ambitiously pursues upgrades to its roster, people in the industry told MLB.com Monday. In fact, the sources said it's possible the Phils will sign multiple free agents before Harper or Machado agree to terms.
It's good to have the Phillies back in the running for free agents. They've been one of the main market drivers in their best years, and owner John Middleton said they could be "a little stupid" about how much money they spend this winter.
My guess is that this story is merely an attempt to prod the camps for Machado and Harper to get serious about offers.
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For a third party, MLB Trade Rumors' Rob Huff did a decent job at examining the financial commitments for the White Sox in an attempt to project the payroll. He was a little off about both Zack Collins and Carson Fulmer, but the ultimate number he comes to -- $100 million, or $41 million of room -- is within the conservative ballpark, considering I set the initial Offseason Plan Project payroll at $105 million.
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The White Sox were unable to successfully sneak Ian Clarkin through waivers, as he got claimed by the Cubs.
The Cubs then were unable to successfully sneak Clarkin through waivers, as he got claimed by the White Sox. The White Sox' 40-man roster is now at 39.
The first club to successfully outright Clarkin wins the Crosstown Cup.
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Although the Logan Morrison signing didn't work out, the Twins are taking a shot with another slugger the Tampa Bay Rays let go.
Minnesota claimed C.J. Cron off waivers after the Rays designated him for assignment. Cron had a good season for the price -- 30 homers, a 123 OPS+, and he's projected to make $5.2 million in arbitration in 2019. Nevertheless, the Rays followed the Corey Dickerson playbook by letting their DH go for nothing, and the Twins are hoping Cron can continue delivering the way Dickerson helped the Pirates in 2018.
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Speaking of the Pirates, they're pursuing another bargain corner outfielder by signing Lonnie Chisenhall away from Cleveland for one year and $2.75 million.
The price seems low, but Chisenhall has limitations. He doesn't face lefties and he's played only 111 games over the last two years due to problems with his calves. When healthy, though, he hit .297/.368/.503 mostly against righties with playable corner outfield defense.
One problem with a Chisenhall type is that he requires a complimentary player at one position to get an above-average outcome, and those get harder to happen upon as benches get shorter. That said, it doesn't bode well for Avisail Garcia's market, because there's a lot of room between Chisenhall's price tag and Garcia's $8 million arbitration projection.
