AL MVP Josh Donaldson has announced his baseball retirement on March.
After a 13-year career during which he was chosen for three All-Star Games and won the 2015 AL MVP award, Josh Donaldson has announced his retirement.
During an appearance on “The Mayor’s Office,” a podcast hosted by former major league first baseman Sean Casey, the 38-year-old revealed his plans on Monday. After splitting the previous season between the Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Yankees, Donaldson is a free agent.
“It’s a bittersweet moment as I will no longer be able to play the game I love, but it’s also a joyful occasion as I get to spend time with my family and begin a new chapter in my life,” Donaldson said.
From 2014 to 2016, Donaldson was selected for three consecutive All-Star games. In 2016, he finished fourth in the AL MVP voting. Following 52 games in 2018 and 113 games in 2017 due to injuries, Donaldson signed a one-year, $23 million contract with Atlanta. He finished 11th in the NL MVP voting with a batting average of.259, a.379 on-base percentage, 37 home runs, and 94 RBIs.
At the age of 34, he signed a four-year, $92 million contract with Minnesota, but his performance declined. During that contract, Donaldson hit.222 with 60 home runs, 171 RBIs, a.748 OPS, and a 24.3% strikeout rate.
Donaldson was dealt by Minnesota to the Yankees prior to the 2022 season. In his 33 games with the Yankees last season, Donaldson hit.142 with 10 home runs and 15 RBIs.
