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Josh Donaldson rejects Braves’ qualifying offer

Joshua Adam Donaldson was born Dec. 8, 1985 in Pensacola, Fla. Donaldson’s nickname is “Bringer of Rain” Donaldson was drafted by the Cubs with the 48th pick of the 2007 draft and traded to Oakland the next year. Donaldson's MLB debut came April 30, 2010, with Oakland at Toronto. The next day Donaldson’s first hit was a two-run homer off Dana Eveland of Toronto. Donaldson was a catcher for his first 10 games, but he settled in at third base. Donaldson was the American League MVP in 2015, when he led the
By
Nov 14, 2019

Braves free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson rejected the team’s one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer before Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline.

Donaldson, coming off a resurgent bounce-back campaign, is seeking a multi-year deal. The Braves hope to retain their clean-up hitter, but he has generated interest from the Rangers, Dodgers, Phillies and Nationals.

Because Donaldson rejected the qualifying offer, the Braves would gain a draft pick, likely a second rounder, if he departs. The team forfeited its second-highest selection Thursday when it signed All-Star reliever Will Smith.

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The Braves inked Donaldson to a one-year, $23 million deal last offseason. Donaldson hoped to re-establish his value after an injury-plagued season.

He did just that, hitting .259/.379/.521 with 37 homers, 94 RBIs and 97 runs scored. He added tremendous lineup protection for Freddie Freeman and helped make the Braves one of the league’s most potent groups.

Coming off 97 wins and a second-consecutive division crown, the Braves want to re-sign their slugger. Donaldson, who turns 34 next month, could be in line for a three or four-year contract.

About the Author

Gabriel Burns is a general assignment reporter and features writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After four years on the Braves beat, he's expanded his horizons and covers all sports. You'll find him writing about MLB, NFL, NBA, college football and other Atlanta-centric happenings.

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