Josh Donaldson will be paid nicely to restore his value. The Atlanta Braves earn the AHL MVP in 2015 with a significant chance to improve their third base position with virtually no risk.

Donaldson and the Braves found a common cause Monday when the player and the team agreed on a one – year contract worth $ 23 million.

A baseball official directly aware of the deal confirmed that Donaldson and the Braves agreed. The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports under cover of anonymity because the agreement is not yet finalized.

Donaldson, who turns 33 on December 8, has been All-Star three times in four seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and has won the 2015 AL MVP award. .

From 2013 to 2016, Donaldson finished fourth, eighth, first and fourth in the vote on AL's acting player, although at the end of the bloom he entered the free agent market at the end of the bloom. old age.

Indeed, his injuries caught up with him in 2017-18, while he was limited to 88 games in two seasons.

Its diminished value was equivalent to a significant opportunity for the Braves.

The Braves have also agreed to the terms of receiver Brian McCann, who returns to his home club and shares reception duties with the incumbent, Tyler Flowers.

After winning a surprise title from the National League East, the Braves can apply all of the $ 11 million expiring Nick Markakis contract to Donaldson. They maintain the flexibility of the payroll in the future, with only three players under contract in 2020.

The Donaldson deal with Atlanta was reported for the first time by The Athletic. Donaldson attended Auburn and grew up in Pensacola, Florida.

His salary of $ 23 million is equivalent to the amount the Blue Jays paid him during his last season of eligibility for arbitration, before a deal with the Cleveland Indians on August 31. Now, he can try to match or improve that salary when he returns to the market in 2019.

Contributor: Bob Nightengale