Phillies: 5 options to play at third base next season

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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 09: Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson #20 rounds the bases after hitting a home run the fifth and final game of the National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals on October 9, 2019 at Suntrust Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

A Placeholder: Josh Donaldson

The Phillies front office caught a lot of flack this past season for standing pat with Maikel Franco at third base despite there being other options out there. While many will point to a guy like Mike Moustakas as a potential bridge to Alec Bohm, I’d like to steer your eyes towards someone else, someone in the division.

Josh Donaldson was signed by the Atlanta Braves this past offseason to hold down the 3B job and to provide some pop in the middle of the lineup, and he did exactly that. The former Blue Jay and Athletic launched 37 homers along with 94 RBIs. He also knocked in 20 doubles while walking 100 times (7th best in the MLB).

Donaldson is what I like to call a “pro’s pro.” He’s a guy who can enter any clubhouse at any time and instantly contribute. He brings along with him a winning mentality which should only help some of the younger guys in Philly. With nine seasons of experience and 39 total playoff games, he adds a much needed veteran voice to a Phillies team that has struggled with leadership in the past.

So what exactly is a “placeholder” in baseball? And why do the Phillies need one? Well in case you haven’t heard, the Phillies #1 minor league prospect at the moment is 3B Alec Bohm. At 23 years of age he absolutely lit up the AA scene this past year, however, most analysts agree he needs at least one more stint in the minors before he’s 100% ready.

This is where a guy like Donaldson comes into play. Turning 34 in December, he’s obviously not the long-term solution at the hot corner. However, he could absolutely agree to a one year deal with Philly (similar to his Atlanta contract) and hold things down until Bohm is ready.

Donaldson played on a one-year $23 million deal for Atlanta. After a very productive 2019 season, he could command something in a similar range, if not slightly more if it’s only a one-year deal.