Josh Donaldson was the biggest addition to the Braves in the offseason before the 2019 season when he signed a one-year, $23 million contract. The deal was a way of Donaldson betting on himself to show that he could be healthy and productive after his previous two seasons were hampered by injury. From the Braves’ perspective, there was little risk to sign a former MVP to only a one-year commitment.
The deal paid off for both sides. Donaldson anchored a strong offense from the cleanup spot, and the Braves won their second straight NL East title in a tough division.