AUGUST 30: Donaldson is in the lineup tonight, Davidi tweets.
AUGUST 29, 3:49pm: Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi tweets that Donaldson will be out of the lineup tonight for Class-A Dunedin due to soreness in his calf and legs. Obviously, that’s an unwelcome development for all parties involved.
10:24am: The Blue Jays hope to trade Josh Donaldson before the end of the month, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription link). Donaldson, who just launched a rehab assignment, will reportedly go on revocable trade waivers today.
There are many factors still at play in finding a taker for the 33-year-old, as we discussed earlier this month. Getting Donaldson onto the field of play meant clearing one major hurdle, but that only kick-starts what could be a fascinating process over the next few days. Donaldson will need to be moved before the end of the month in order to be eligible to play in the postseason for an acquiring team.
Whether or not Donaldson’s hefty salary will prevent him from being claimed on waivers remains to be seen. As Rosenthal notes, teams weighing a claim will be looking at an approximately $4MM tab for a player who has been injured — and, when healthy, not quite to his typical form — for much of the season. American League organizations will get first crack, in reverse order of the standings. Among contenders, then, the Mariners and Indians are first in line.
If a claim is made, then the Toronto organization will either have to work out a deal with the claiming team, allow Donaldson to depart without compensation, or hold him with intentions of issuing a qualifying offer at season’s end. Notably, Rosenthal says that last option is not one the Jays wish to fall back on. Should Donaldson go on to accept a hypothetical QO, the organization would be staking a ~$18MM salary on his ability to return to form while also creating a roster obstacle to uber prospect Vladimir Guerrero. Should he decline and sign elsewhere, the upside would be limited to recouping a compensatory draft selection after competitive balance Round B. The likelihood of an offer being warranted and of Donaldson rejecting it would depend in no small part upon his showing over the final month of the season.
[RELATED: The New Qualifying Offer Rules]
If, on the other hand, Donaldson makes it through the wire, the Jays would be able to negotiate with any interested organizations. Of course, there would also already be a clear parameter set on his market, since all involved would know that no teams were willing to give up ~$4MM in payroll to add him. While the Toronto organization could still look to create an opportunity to effectively purchase a prospect, the quality of the potential return would be limited by the implied value the market would have assigned to the right to employ Donaldson for the final month of the season (along with the 2018 postseason).
For all involved, there are loads of fascinating considerations and possibilities at play. The Blue Jays seem to have decided to avoid playing the QO game, preferring instead to make the best of the opportunities at hand. Of course, that could presumably still change. Contending teams with interest will need to assess Donaldson’s health and ability to contribute after a long layoff. He has dealt with both shoulder and calf issues this year. On the other hand, Donaldson has also been among the very best players in baseball over the past several seasons. Donaldson’s own outlook is also at stake, as he’d no doubt prefer to be dealt. Not only would that give him an opportunity to showcase his abilities in the spotlight before reaching free agency at season’s end, but it would eliminate any possibility that he’d be saddled with a qualifying offer.
An earlier version of this post mistakenly indicated that Donaldson would be placed on waivers on Thursday, August 30th.
A’S got Donaldson for a player to be name later…
Lolz. (But also plausible.)
lol
This is Shapiro manipulating the media…….
It’s Aug 29, takes 2 days to clear waivers. And how long does it take for a player to get a physical and subsequently receive the results? Player has to be on roster by what? – Sept 1 – to be on playoff roster. So the guy is jogging, playing catch, and taking batting practice. Add that he was so-so earlier in the year when he was healthy. Has he even played in one minor league game?
And some team is supposed to lay out $4MM and a prospect for less then 2 months of this guy because he was an MVP years ago?
I doubt that even the Seattle GM that makes trades that go in circles as if he were an inexperienced fantasy league player would get the owners permission to do this. But in an age of “thinking outside the box”, “not being a dinosaur”, and “being creative”…….anything can happen.
Saw a used car ad today for a 1994 Buick Regal Coupé, named ‘Car of the Year’……….
“Good condition. New seat covers from 99 Cent Store. Duct tape holding headlight in. Engine rebuilt…..sort of. Some minor radiator issues, but have 3-32 ounce plastic soda bottles containing water in trunk for emergencies. Almost new retread tires. Drivers side door smashed in, but can climb over passenger seat to enter. Have been successfully driving car to convenience store to buy beer and cigarettes for almost 3 weeks now. $22,875 obo. A steal!”
Media manipulating the fans more like it. They are all on the same team. Kind of a conflict of interest in Toronto (huge).
Good news!
John Ricco took the bait and the Mets will be trading for Donaldson.
According to sources the team is planning a freak show weekend with their upcoming double header; with Donaldson and David Wright taking turns at 3B and Tim Tebow playing CF.
Fred’s comment, “Anything to bring the fans in. All we want is their money.”
To replace Chapman 3rd or Davis DH, no thanks! As much as I loved donaldson when he was an athletic!
Seems logical that the Cardinals would take a hard look at Donaldson since Gyorko is likely going on the DL with a groin issue. Last time he went on DL with a groin injury, he was out 5 weeks. Carpenter is better at 1B than 3B. Matt Adams can’t play 3B.
If they can get him with just taking his salary for the year, seems like its worth the chance.
I say they at least put in a claim for him if he makes it to the cards, what’s the worse that happens, we dont get him and neither do the Cubs. If we do get him I think he could really help us. Still bummed we didnt try to claim murphy
Cubs don’t need him tho with Bryant and Russell returning in the near future you would become like the brewers and have a huge traffic jam bc you don’t wanna have to sit anyone the cubs currently have
I was just saying we dont want him to make it to the Cubs lol. I didnt think the Cubs could or would use murphy either, but man has that worked out in their favor. I think a healthy Donaldson could help any team, even the Cubs. Come playoffs time, Donaldson would be a huge weapon even off the bench, plus reassurance if anyone gets hurt.
I all of your thinking about a stretch run with Donaldson in the Cardinal line up. But…..you have to remember the Cardinals have John Mozeliak still!!! He generally doesn’t go after anything besides low hanging fruit. That is unless Bill DeWitt steps in as he did in the release of Mike Mathaney.
Reeeeeeeaaaaaaacccccchhhhhh a little more. You’re comment is almost crazy.
tbh Donaldson does qualify as low hanging fruit least for this season he hasn’t played most of the year, on the wrong side of 30 and before he was hurt was just playing mediocre ball with that being said if we can pick him up for cheap im ok with it (i.e. taking on his 4 mil left or an a ball depth guy)
We could use him in St. Louis, I hope we at least give him a look.
Me too but he just won’t make it that far. Can’t see a scenario where he’s not claimed by an AL team. Four million won’t stop contenders from claiming him. Injury and how he bounces back are question marks but the upside is too big not to claim him. I’d be surprised if he isn’t swooped up quickly
Yup. I think that about nails it.
Carpenter is not better at first than third, and stats support this. Adams is better at first than Carp. The Cards may well seek Donaldson, but if Adams can bust out of his slump he should start at first against righties. Cards have plenty of options. Wisdom is an above average defender at third, with a strong arm and Munoz is another choice, plus slick-fielding Torres or even upcoming Urias could play second, sliding Garcia to third, are still more options.
Obviously you don’t watch the Cardinals. Carpenter is way better at 1B than 3B. Adams is not even close to what Carpenter is at 1B. Adams is terrible, but better than Martinez at 1B.
I wasn’t on board with Donaldson to STL rumors at all. I am a big believer Gyorko is one of the most underrated players in baseball and hes a good defender at 3B. But with his groin injury I think the Cardinals have to take a chance on Donaldson now if he gets to them.
I watch every Cards games and I played 3 years in the organization,so I know of what I think. You are correct about Gyorko, but assuming he is laid up for awhile, the Cards best option is still Adams at first. Much like Gyorko, his defensive abilities are under rated. Carp only plays first because Gyorko is so good at third.
I played 4 years in the org, and you’re simply wrong
Kudos to you sir, respect. But with Wong also on the DL and Adams platoon splits, Donaldson would be well worth the risk, at that $.
I played 7 years in the org so you’re wrong
So where did you lay? And what level did you achieve?
My Daddy can beat up your Daddy
Where did I lay? With your mom most of the time.
Carp has know arm, he can’t play anywhere but 1st.
True
No, no, no. I have the biggest D***
You are correct. Adams is a better defensive 1st baseman than Carpenter
I love my cards, but if Garcia is starting for us anywhere we are in serious trouble. Garcia is hitting 137 over his last 60 at bats, small sample but still. 1 extra base hit and hasnt even been walking. At this point I dont think he would even make a post season roster with Munoz around
Your so right, Garcia needs to go
Have to agree with you there, almost need a good veteran presence like Donaldson. It couldn’t hurt and if he’s that bad you cut him loose..
Excellent analysis
I can’t believe I am typing this, but I’d like the Braves to take a flyer on him. sheesh, I actually hit POST COMMENT…
I’m with you, but not paying the full $4m. Maybe they have more international money to move…
Mid-level prospect or two would probably get Toronto to eat some money. Josh will be forced to take a one year with team option due to injury history to build value IMO.
Doubt it will take a mid level prospect. Lottery ticket prospect & all the contract. Now if Jays wanna pay salary then prospects improve.
Unlikely that Toronto, which has the 3rd best farm in baseball according to BA, is going to pay Donaldson to play for Atlanta without a lot more enticement that a second or third tier prospect. Donaldson won’t make it the NL. Much more likely he ends up in Cleveland with a significant prospect in return. If he gets past Seattle.
No chance of a “significant prospect” coming back. None. Cleveland holds all the cards if they claim him. Toronto doesn’t want to give him a QO, so they either a) take whatever Cleveland is willing to offer, even if it is only the cash; or b) get nothing when he leaves anyway after the season.
Jays have already said they’d eat money in any deal to increase what they get back in any trade they make. Also there’s the AA connection who traded for him in the first place in Toronto.
He won’t make it to the NL
Hopefully someone claims him and the Jays let him go. He’s not worth $18 million and the Jays have a way better player waiting to play 3rd base. It would be nice to get something for him, but getting nothing is better than keeping him
I would take the bet that Donaldson has a better year than Vlad Jr.
Remember Vlad will only be 20 and JD has been a MVP level player for several years.
I agree that JD has been an MVP player for several years, but not for the last 2. It appears that he is getting to the age where he is prone to getting hurt and no longer reliable. Vlad is also not going to cost $18 million for the year
There are some legit health questions with JD, Despite missing time last year, he still was a beast with a 147 OPS+ and still finished 22nd in the MVP race despite playing only 113 games.
When healthy he has been his regular self. I think almost any team though would sign him for 1 year at 18M as that is a risk worthy of the reward even if he is 20% less than his former MVP self.
I’ll take it 1 step further; moving JD to 1B next year IF he accepts a QO, he will outperform Justin Smoak. I’d rather keep JD for another year and roll the dice on a bounce back season next year than rushing a deal this year.
Smoak is great. Why would you do that…
Jays can move Smoak for a quality prospect. Donaldson is worthless at the moment until he reproves himself.
Exactly what Jimmer said; Smoak at this present time is one of the very few players on the Blue Jays that can be dealt for a prospect.
The real question though is he actually healthy? He hasn’t been healthy all year. I was sitting in the stands on his first game of the season and he couldn’t even throw the ball to 1st base. He dealt with that issue and then the calf issues shortly after. Now its been 3 months of not playing to heal the injury. To start rehab games days before the deadline seems like a potential red flag.
If he is actually healthy, there is no question he is a huge asset to a team. How can you determine that though with 3 A ball games after 3 months on the shelf.
I do think the Jays should give him the QO and sort out the Vlad stuff next year. There is no harm in giving JD some rest from 3B or working in Vlad in LF, DH, 1B, 3B…. plus he wont be up for a month anyway.
Its a gamble a contender will make though. Knowing Donaldson’s work ethic he is proly primed to go..
33 is not old, JD wont get some 5 or 6 year offer coke FA but someone will offer him 2 or 3 at a high aav just one pedigree alone.
I personally would take that risk, since JD has been one of the best hitters in baseball the last few years.
since he is sitting today due to calf and leg issues, that answers the question that he is in fact not healthy.
If they believe that he’s relatively healthy then claiming an MVP calibre player for only 4 million would seem to be a no brainer for any contending team.
$4 million is a lot to commit to a guy who you hope plays maybe 20 games for you and who is a total crapshoot in terms of production.
Braves make some sense, particularly if they were contemplating bidding on him this offseason.
Might see a yanks block if he makes it that far, team like boston has money and need at 3rd,Nunez and devers have been pretty meh, plus devers on dl as well. And a possible healthy donaldson might be worth a gamble. Be interesting couple days.
Funny if that happens and jays let yanks have him for nothing, pushing them over the luxury tax. Anyone know how that works exactly? Are Yankees immediately over the threshold with no way to reduce payroll the moment the jays let him go for free? Not saying it happens… but sounds like it would be an interesting option…
Donaldson will not be traded. The reason is the team taking him will need to trade a good prospect better than they can get from a QO. So unless Donaldson is back smashing home runs why would a team give up a top prospect for somebody that might be worth picking up?
The Jays don’t really want to offer a QO though. Also the Jays would save $22M not $18M now.
Another small possibility is a September trade if he has a very good start to September. He wouldn’t be available for the playoffs but could make a difference in a close race.
They might not want to a chnace but they will offer him a QO. How baseball is now days the team that comes up short on Machado will land Donaldson as the second prize in FA. My bet is he doesn’t take the QO unless he is still injured. He will still get a contract in the 3/50 range even if he doesn’t do well the rest of the year.
Jays will save more money declining Solarte’s option than QO Donaldson. Why? Because Donaldson will sell more merch and bring more people to the stands/TV screens than Solarte. Josh Donaldson is beloved in Toronto and is the most marketable player until Vlad is called up.
Plus, you deal Smoak and Travis in the offseason to allow Gurriel to start (Drury covers 3B until Vlad arrives). Smoak at 6 mil, Solarte 5.5 and Travis between 2.5-3.5 the team nearly offsets the cost of JD’s QO. Plus JD takes a $5-mil paycut.
This just in…….Guess who is injured again. You are right, they won’t be trading him
Help me out here…. if he’s going on waivers tomorrow…. how can he possibly clear waivers if it takes 48 hrs to do so? Why would the jays limit themselves to a claiming team only? Is this Twitter report from yesterday? JD should be on waivers today…. immediately…. assuming the league deemed him healthy enough to be placed.
As I have said before, I hear Donaldson is going nowhere. Expect a QO folks.
He will be claimed by Boston and taken for simply salary relief. Expect nothing.
As I have said before,I hear Donaldson is going to be claimed by Cleveland
I hear that the Marlins are going to claim him.
But, in fairness it is just one of the voice’s in my head that are saying it, and it’s not one of the reliable one’s.
Sometimes those voices are right, sometimes not….
Even if he does get claimed, the Jays are going to want at least equivalent of a high draft pick for him so that means the claiming team must put up a quality prospect, which is unlikely due to his injury and uncertanty of performance status…
This is the kinda move the Astros need.. just a pure bat. They can even resign him next year with all the mo es getting freed up
DH primarily and rotate at 3rd periodically, while blocking the Sox- sounds good
Similarly, I can see Boston claiming him and then refusing to discuss a trade. If they let him walk, it might push them to the next threshold but going back ten slots might be less than what they’d have to give in a trade. $$ penalties mean little this year. Question I have is if you can’t waive an injured player, can a selecting team pull back after reviewing medicals? I assume the review comes last.
Mariners? Would be a big improvement over Seager if he can prove healthy. Donaldson and Estrada for a few minor leaguers
Now I’m not up to date on everything blue jays, but if they offered him the QO and he took it how would that stop Guerrero from making the team? Couldn’t they just DH Donaldson giving an open spot to Guerrero? Or do they have someone else to put there that I’m not realizing?
There’s still one more year of Morales. Maybe his season will make him a bit more valuable to AL teams and they could open up the roster spot. In an ideal scenario, they’ll have JD and Vladdy rotating between DH and 3b.
Morales, Martin, and Tulo, big time boat anchors hindering the Jays next year
Kendrys morales.
The Jays would prefer Guerrero Jr not make the team in 2019 to delay the clock on controllability. His bat is ready by far, but his glove is not, not even close. Guerrero will be exposed for poor defence if he were up too soon.
QO of Donaldson is the right move. Cheaper than what he is getting now and worth rolling the dice. If he can be healthy and performing, the Jays can package him for a great prospect. SHapiro is will to pay that price to get a quality prospect.
The real isse on the Jays is all the boat anchors. They’ve got Smoak, Tulo, Morales, Martin, the latter 3 past their prime and on big deals. Such is the cost of 2015 and 2016. I am hoping Shapiro/Atkins will deal with these players accordingly. Someone has to play over the next 2 years while they rebuild the pitching staff, might as well be them unless there is a kid who can fit into place like Gurriel Jr. Martin can play 3rd to basic war levels…JD will be way above that……Smoak, Morales and Tulo all belong at first or DH.
It will be intersting to see how all this shakes out in 2019.
How was Morales a cost of 2015/2016. He’s entirely a cost of the Jays screwing up with Edwin’s free agency.
“Screwing up”
Morales has been better than Encarnacion this year for far less money.
Exactly, how many DHs did Shapkins sign to try and fill EE’s shoes? Morales, Pearce AND Bautista. What has Shapiro ever won? AA builds teams that go to the playoffs. You can’t win the World Series if you don’t make the playoffs. Jays are badly mismanaged after a great front office with Beeston and AA. Blame Rogers.
Yup Charles. What you said.
Toronto should have arranged a JD trade in the offseason (Cardinals). The Jays overlooked or disregarded patterns of concern regarding JD’s health – reap what you sow. Timing.
The Phillies should add him to a growing collection of ex-Jays.
I think that the Phils should take a real look at trying to acquire him Franco has been great but the struggles of Santana could be a reason to get a corner infielder and they need something to push them over the Braves
The waiver priority rules are archaic. The fact that Boston can have a crack at a player put on waivers in the AL before San Diego is in defiance of the intent of the waiver process. (No, I’m not saying that either of those teams would have interest in Donaldson). The leagues need to move further away from their silos.
Agree its shouldnt be by league, solely by record.
Donaldson isnt going anywhere. He will be offered and accept a QO for next year. He will regain some value after setting fire hitting 2nd in front of Vlad jr.
Someone will have to offer something better than a top 35 prospect. Which is what were looking at if he rejects the QO
If he rejects the QO, the compensation is pick after Supp B, which is 75-80, not 35. 75-80 is not a lot, even thought Toronto seems to be drafting a lot smarter now.
Thank you for the correction
I’ll still take a top 100 pick over nothing.
He’s going to the Brewers, we all know they need another 3rd baseman to play shortstop.
Lol one game was too many
This could be a bit of a bluff, hoping teams would be scared off, and getting all American League teams to pass on him.
I think it might be a bluff. Thought about that last night. Could be a ploy to get the fanbase somewhat excited for a trade and/or return, plus gage if there’s interest from teams and what they’d be willing to give up. FO’s can still talk to one another about potential deals in the event of a claim.
No QO required. 2015 & 2016 were fun, but it’s time to straight up walk away. He isn’t getting any younger and it’s doubtful he’ll rebound and create trade value anywhere near what it would have been.
Brewers need another 3B to play another place out of position.
If they can not get get good player I would like to see them tried him for international pool slot money.
Stick a fork in him, he’s done for the year
If you are going to get a broken down player based on name value, why not Willie Mays?
Could’ve got something for him if they’d blown the team up last winter. Worst front office in baseball and they’ve destroyed the franchise in just a few short years. Such a shame after the AA years led to playoff teams.
Lmao this is far so from the truth. AA set the franchise up for failure with a short window. They obviously weren’t going to blow up the 2016 ALCS team or the same fans who hate Shatkins now would’ve ran them out of the city. I don’t fault them for believing in this years team. Had JD, Osuna, Sanchez, and Stroman performed to expectations, I can’t see a scenario where they aren’t in the playoff hunt right now. But to say they destroyed the franchise is downright laughable. Without even going into a full rebuild they have a league wide top 3 farm according to most experts. But yes, it’s all destroyed.
Charles is right-on.
JD, Sanchez and Stroman were never going to perforrm to expectations this year and we heard about in these pages in spring training. This team was never going to compete and I could have not made it clearer. There is a reason Is aid over and over and over to trade JD last year.
Shaprio/Atkins did destory the MLB level of this franchise by their repeated stupid decisions.
As far as AA setting up the franchise to failure, you couldn;’t be more wrong. Like Drombrowski does when he hits a team, AA took a good shot at winning and almost made it and the prospect capital he traded away have pretty performed to nothing.
Good farmsystems don’t win MLB level championships. They provide capital to trade away to do that. Look a Shaprio’s tenure in Cleveland, from 2002 to 2014. 12 years of nothing. Dombrowski has a ring, so does Cashman. Better trading away of prospect capital for elite players. AA did it right to try it that way.
Like I said after 2016 playoffs, the Jays MLB team needed to be blown up then and I was right and Shapiro/Atkins doesn;t have aclue. The Jays wasted 2 years before blowing it up now. The Jays are still at least 2 years away from competing. At the end of 2016, I said it would be 5-7 years to compete again with Shapiro at the helm and that estimation is looking absolutely correct.
AA made the moves to save his job, period. If he was all about going for it all the moves would have been made in 2014, not 2015.
Now, JDGoat’s assertion of AA setting up the franchise for failure is wrong. Rogers did. Rogers should have come out and said “we are willing to break the luxury threshold”. They weren’t, they didn’t, and the major signings after 2016 never happened.
Can’t forgive Atkins/Shapiro for signing 3 DH’s in one offseason either (Morales, Pearce, Bautista). June 2017 should have been the time to blow things up. Prolonging the inevitable.
Jimmertrees crystal ball strikes again.
You must make a killing in Vegas.
Well here’s something, JD hit a homer in his first at bat today 🙂 :). Maybe some hope!
Against the Cardinals single A team of all teams! No way the Cardinals front office missed that one!
Coulda had a nice haul if they’d dealt him to St Louis pre-season
I can see him getting hurt being rushed back just so Toronto can get a fringe prospect and maybe save a few million dollars, geez who owns this team some awful global multi-medi…..
Relax, he had a torn calf months ago.
The guys calling for Donaldson to receive a QO were right. So, so very right.