The Shockingly Brutal Decline of Josh Donaldson

Hey everyone!

Ahead of the 2022 season, the Yankees seemingly upgraded their offense with the trade for Josh Donaldson However, 2 years later, Donaldson has declined massively. While it wasn't totally unexpected, this decline has been historically weird.

Music:

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

[PaulHahrrgis_]

As a Jays fan, I will always cherish 2015-16. Peak Donaldson

[HufflepuffBaseball]

It’s not shocking, this just happens to everyone that joins the Yankees.

[RinslerRR]

I still love Donaldson's quote "This isn't the try league, this is the get it done league... and eventually they're gonna find people who are gonna get it done."

[Money_Ball]

No matter, Josh is is special. He revived baseball in Canada. No one beats time, that’s all

[matthewbarbosa]

As a jays fan, I'll always rate him for bringing excitement back to Toronto baseball and ending our 20 year playoff drought

[Aiden.scott]

A bit more weird bad luck is that nearly all of his home runs this season came in losses, meaning that they are basically worthless

[dylanortiz]

I remember when we signed him and I knew it was a mistake. I really didn’t want to get rid of Gio. People shit on me, saying Donaldson was still good and that the twins got fleeced. I still think Donaldson was one of Cashman’s worst moves.

[SportStorm]

8/9/23 Update:

- Due to a copyright claim on a 10 second clip that started at 0:14, I had cut that section from the video. That's why the video starts a bit clunky now.
- Before the clip, I said Donaldson's batting average heading into the at bat was .127. The clip showed Donaldson striking out and receiving a chorus of boos.

Another 8/9/23 Update:

-Due to another copyright claim at 12:08, I had to remove another clip.
-Here's what I said: "Clearly, these oddities are due to the small sample size, but with the high likelihood of his calf injury ending his 2023 season, it’s possible we’ve seen the last of Donaldson in a big league uniform. A memorable career statistically, but not without controversy due to his outspoken nature."

[IsaacParent]

Your videos on historic and unique baseball moments are unmatched in brilliance and infallibility. It is evident that you love your work passionately. Thank you very much!

[GeraldM_inNC]

Every athlete ages differently. Some have gradual declines, others suddenly and abruptly drop off a cliff. Unfortunately for Cashman, JD and LeMahieu dropped off a cliff and did so while nowhere near 40. Anybody over 30 could have the same thing happen to him. These long term contracts that are paying athletes into their 40s are going to be destroying many teams in another five years.

[alek]

Loved watching this guy play for the 2019 Atlanta Braves.

[TheBigTimeChicken]

JD's Blue Jays run was something special! JD, Jose Bautista, Edwin, and TuLo were a scary line up

[joshuapatrick]

also, the dude lasted til he was 35...and it's not like he's a corner outfielder either. he played one of the most physical positions and hit over 900 for half a decade, pretty damn impressive.

[Gweb]

It’s almost like the GM of the Yankees is terrible at his job

[samuelcolby]

He’ll forever be a legend with blue jays fans. Wasn’t the longest tenured but the level of excitement he brought was next level

[Tr_]

I can't believe Cashman actually said with a straight face that the Yankees didn't have the budget to sign a big free agent.

[pbcash]

Big Donaldson fan even though he’s never played for my Dodgers. Just wanted to add that a lot of the negative press about him came from his days on the A’s, and he was totally in the right to publicly diss that organization.

Sad that his career is probably done but I’ll always remember him as a big time player.

[dominickdarpino]

as a life long yankee fan you know when some player, who historically ALWAYS kicks your ass, joins the team, they go downhill fast. with a few exceptions obviously.

[jayjay-jlhl]

It all started with Cashman's refusal to admit he made a mistake with Sanchez. They should have just DFAed him and keep Urshella. Urshella is way better than Donaldson and it would have saved money.

[FIREGURU]

Thanks for the content. As an A's fan, I enjoyed watching Donaldson emerge and evolve. He came up as a catcher and then made the switch. A hard ass but, I think that was his edge.