Aaron Boone’s ‘crazy’ idea about Josh Donaldson’s return in 2023

Thursday February 23, 2023

Unfortunately, Josh Donaldson‘s first year with the Yankees was not one to remember.

The veteran slugger had a terrible season with the Yankees after being traded to them from the Minnesota Twins during the offseason along with infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt.

He was nonetheless given passing marks for his defensive efforts at the hot corner. His performance at the plate, though, declined significantly.

Donaldson struggled to a .222 average and a career-low .682 OPS in 132 games this year. His home run total dropped drastically from the previous year, landing at 15.

Donaldson’s lack of plate discipline was a further development. His strikeout (27.1%), whiff (33.2%), chase (29.3%), and walk (9.5%) rates all went up, and he struck out 148 times.

Because of this, many 2023 Yankees fans have given up on the 36-year-old. Yankees manager Aaron Boone and the team’s front office are confident in the veteran slugger despite this.

In speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Boone expressed a great deal of confidence in Donaldson. The manager even went so far as to call it “crazy” to doubt that he can have a successful season at the bat this year.

Aaron Boone explains why “you’re crazy” if you don’t think Josh Donaldson can have a bounce back season pic.twitter.com/lU8Ss8sB3n
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) February 21, 2023

“First of all, we’re talking about a great player. This has been a star player, and consistently for a long time. He’s not far removed from 2021, where he was still a wrecking ball.”

Prior to being moved to New York, Donaldson recorded an OPS of .827 or better for four consecutive seasons. In Minnesota that year, he hit 26 home runs and 26 doubles in 135 games.

After a subpar year at the bat, Boone praised Donaldson’s summer training.

There’s no set plan to have Aaron Judge play LF this spring, but Aaron Boone said it’s on the table. That would allow Giancarlo Stanton to play RF more frequently in the Bronx.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 21, 2023

“I think last year with the lockout he probably came in a little behind the eight ball. He had an amazing winter. He physically looks great. His assessments, everything, he’s moving really well.

“The things he did this winter to get himself ready to go, I think you’re crazy to think that a bounce back is not in there offensively. This guy still has bat speed and is super talented. He’s in a much better place than he was a year ago right now.”

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

(Source: SNY)