Braves make splash by adding Donaldson, McCann

NEW YORK — The Atlanta Braves added a pair of free agents following their first division title in five years, agreeing to one-year contracts with third baseman Josh Donaldson and catcher Brian McCann.

Donaldson agreed to a US$23-million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical.

McCann’s deal was announced by Atlanta, where he became a seven-time Major League Baseball all-star from 2005 to ’13. He got a $2-million, one-year contract to play near his home.

Donaldson was American League most valuable player with Toronto in 2015 but has struggled since. He had a hip injury in ’16, was slowed by a strained right calf in ’17 and by shoulder inflammation and a calf strain this year. A three-time all-star who turns 32 next month, Donaldson hit .246 with eight homers and 23 runs batted in in 52 games this year for Toronto and Cleveland, which acquired him on Aug. 31.

His 2019 salary matches his pay this year.

McCann, who turns 35 in February, is from Duluth, Ga. He left the Braves after the 2013 season to sign an $85-million, five-year contract with the New York Yankees and was traded to Houston after the ’16 season following the emergence of Gary Sanchez.

McCann helped the Astros win their first World Series title in ’17.