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Latest On Josh Donaldson

By Jeff Todd | September 15, 2018 at 1:46am CDT

Josh Donaldson’s difficult season and recent trade have prompted plenty of looks in the rearview mirror to imagine what might have been. Now with the Indians for the tail end of an injury-plagued year, the veteran third bagger could instead have inked a long-term deal to stay in Toronto or been shipped elsewhere.

Multiple organizations reputedly sought to acquire Donaldson from the Blue Jays before the start of the season. Reports at the time pegged the Cardinals as a major pursuer, and Bob Nightengale of USA Today now reports on Twitter that the club was indeed serious about landing Donaldson. While he had only one year of contract control remaining, and a hefty $23MM salary, the St. Louis organization was evidently not shy about giving up significant talent to make a deal.

Indeed, per the report, the Cards offered up a two-player package that included young righty Jack Flaherty — the same hurler who might well be cruising to a National League Rookie-of-the-Year award were it not for the brilliance of two historic young hitters. Flaherty’s ongoing ability to suppress base hits — he’s allowing only a .248 BABIP — may reasonably be questioned. But his 132 1/3-inning showing (to this point) has been amply impressive even if it comes with some batted-ball fortune.

Unquestionably, the Jays would take a do-over on their decision not to accept that offer. But that’s based as much or more on the ensuing injuries to Donaldson as it is Flahrty’s emergence. And if we’re going to consider what-if’s, there’s another entire scenario that also could have occurred. In this case, the outcomes favor the Toronto ballclub.

It has long been known that the Blue Jays explored the possibility of an extension with Donaldson in advance of the 2018 season. Details, though, have not only been slow to emerge, but have come with no small amount of controversy.

Today, Jon Heyman of Fancred fired the latest shot in an ongoing back-and-forth with Donaldson’s agents regarding pre-2018 extension talks with the Blue Jays. Heyman argues that “the Jays and the Donaldson camp knew exactly where they stood” in terms of contract price last spring, citing some of the player’s own comments to support his reporting. And, he insists, the Blue Jays made clear they’d be willing to pay something at or over the three-year, $75MM level to make a deal, if not a bit more.

In Heyman’s telling, the Donaldson camp found that level insufficient — which, as Heyman notes, would certainly have been a fair position to take given Donaldson’s outstanding level of play in the preceding campaigns. The recently stated position of agent Dan Lozano, however, is that “the team never extended an offer” and that “no years or dollars were ever specifically discussed.”

Those interested in the topic will want to read all the materials and reach their own conclusions. Broadly, the post mortem on the end of Donaldson’s tenure in Toronto is interesting for a variety of reasons. But it’s clearly also not a subject that necessarily needs to feature winners and losers. Certainly, there was no known reason to think that Donaldson was headed for such a calamitous season — either for the Blue Jays or the player’s reps. Historians may debate the facts, but they won’t likely dispute that the player was warranted in seeking a massive payday and that the club was justified in demanding a big return via trade.

In any event, for the Indians the focus now is solely on what Donaldson can do on the field. He broke through with a home run today, a promising sign for the club as it seeks to get him up to full speed in advance of the postseason. When the season ends, the veteran will be able to choose his next uniform for himself.

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80 Comments

  1. trendysayings

    7 years ago

    My guess is the Angels land Donaldson in free agency this winter. I know it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense on paper but that’s what my gut is telling me.

    Reply
    • andrewgauldin

      7 years ago

      You forgetting they have Cozart? Also have Taylor Ward

      Reply
      • Vedder80

        7 years ago

        That’s never stopped the Angels from giving a ridiculous contract to a player on the wrong side of 30.

        6
        Reply
    • angelsinthetroutfield

      7 years ago

      I highly doubt we’re in on Donaldson as we have Cozart coming back, Fletcher established at 2B, Taylor Ward getting an extended look at 3B, and Luis Rengifo tearing up the minors. A large commitment to Josh would only muddy the situation. And that’s ignoring the previous history between Donaldson and the Angels org.

      Our free agent spending needs to be on durable pitching. Lots of elite RPs and a few solid SPs will be available so it should be a fun offseason

      Reply
      • Bocephus

        7 years ago

        “we’re”..”Our”, what position of employment do you serve in with the Angels?

        5
        Reply
        • Pablo

          7 years ago

          Probably the role of investor like most fans who give their money to tickets, merchandise and lots of time. Fans deserve to call their team their own and are a part of their success. No fans means no money means no professional sports. You don’t have to work for a team to be part of the team.

          3
          Reply
        • its_happening

          7 years ago

          And no money means ballplayers can’t make it rain in the adult bars or afford more than 2 phones to hide their side dishes on the road or pay for medical supplies to help improve their on-field play.

          Pablo’s got a good point.

          Reply
        • kylelohse

          7 years ago

          You guys that whine about people commenting with “we” and “our” are worse than the grammar police. Diehard fans that put their time and money into following everything that “their” team does should feel like part of the team. I guarantee that the teams want those fans too. So quit complaining about it and make your comment relevant to the article.

          1
          Reply
        • sheff86

          7 years ago

          I know I’ve always hated that. “When we traded….”

          2
          Reply
        • Bocephus

          7 years ago

          Makes it sound like there’s actually something they contributed.

          1
          Reply
        • Bocephus

          7 years ago

          “role of investor”..yea of their time.

          1
          Reply
        • baseball10

          7 years ago

          Amen

          Reply
        • HaloShane

          7 years ago

          Lol typical Halo clown. Thinks they are actually part of the team.

          1
          Reply
        • tomabsolon

          7 years ago

          I agree whole heartedly… if your going to 10-15 games a year, watching every night on TV when they play and buy merchandise and attend your teams off field functions well then like me you can use the term “ Our”

          Reply
        • EndinStealth

          7 years ago

          Bocephus= whiny brat

          Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      7 years ago

      Bottom line is the Jays were very foolish to let Donaldson report to spring training without a signed extension. They should have pushed to sign him during the winter, or traded him before spring training. But they hung onto him despite no extension because they foolishly thought they could compete in the AL East this year. Horrible decisionmaking by the front office, and further insult as Shapiro winds up giving away Donaldson to his former team for next to nothing in return.

      2
      Reply
      • jimmertee

        7 years ago

        What you said fever. I’ve been saying it for almost 2 years. Shapiro/Atkins have got to go.

        Reply
    • BKG98

      7 years ago

      This makes sense. That is a total Angels type of move.

      Reply
  2. NotaGM

    7 years ago

    Donald will be that afterthought because of his past. I’m guessing he will sign with a contender on a 1 yr deal to rebuild his value.

    Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      7 years ago

      Nothing spectacular guarantee but big time incentives.

      1
      Reply
    • Polish Hammer

      7 years ago

      Hope that’s Cleveland

      Reply
  3. darkstar61

    7 years ago

    Wonder if the Jays owner even recognizes the foolishness of his insisting the team try to compete in 2018, or if he’s attempting to pass that buck onto others sans his responsibility.

    Too bad a franchise can’t fire an owner for disastrous decisions forced upon the club.

    3
    Reply
    • VancouverBlueJays

      7 years ago

      100% agree with you there. For sure, Shapiro and Atkins would have much preferred to have started the rebuild after 2017. They are bright enough to know that everything would have needed to go right, for them to merely get the 2nd Wild Card spot for a dubious one-game Playoff.
      Everyone knew that in 2018, BOS and NYY were going to steamroll everyone and take the AL East and likely the #1 Wild Card spot.
      Stupid Corporate Ownership; always focused on the short-term gain.
      Any fan who actually thinks that Shapiro and Atkins genuinely wanted to
      “try to compete” in 2018 and that those two are to blame for Donaldson not having been traded last year, is not nearly as sharp as they think they are.

      3
      Reply
      • bradthebluefish

        7 years ago

        All of what said makes sense. The Blue Jays owner has to be making some of these final decisions.

        2
        Reply
        • Fever Pitch Guy

          7 years ago

          And what owner would want to pay a player $23M in the final year of his contract when the team has zero chance of contending? I’ll wait for a reply.

          1
          Reply
        • Taejonguy

          7 years ago

          a team that needs him to headline games broadcast on their network nation-wide

          Reply
        • VancouverBlueJays

          7 years ago

          “Zero” chance? No, but definitely much better than zero. Basically, the BlueJays just had to beat out LAA, Seattle, and Oak for the 2nd WildCard spot. Neither you nor I figured that that was likely to happen, but we are not money-grubbing corporate owners. When the “Skydome” has merely a good turnout, the revenue that is earned from the gate, concessions AND tv advertising, is easily into seven-figures.
          No Donaldson might as well mean, 15,000 fans or less every game, less concession $$ AND less NATIONAL tv $$.. So 23 Million?
          A manageable amount to keep up fans (misguided) hope.
          The corporate overlords knew how much of a swing in finances that trading Donaldson would bring. They know about the huge economic disparity between “the Lean years” vs the recent Playoff run. From a financial point-of-view, it’s easier to try to retain some of the current fan-base than to try to get them back after a extended rebuild. Shapiro’s bosses made the incorrect gamble.

          Reply
      • Fever Pitch Guy

        7 years ago

        Actually, the “not sharp” people are those who think ownership wanted to pay $23M salary this season on one player in a walk year playing for a team that clearly wouldn’t contend. Clearly this mess is on Shapiro more than anyone.

        1
        Reply
        • jimmertee

          7 years ago

          Yup. All on Shapiro, not ownership.

          Reply
  4. deweybelongsinthehall

    7 years ago

    While there may not have been a reason to think the year could end like it has, Donaldson has so far has rolled snake eyes. Should be a reminder to all players that their situation is unique and more personal than to the team. At his age, the risk was far greater for him than the typical first time free agent. Hopefully for him there was available injury insurance and hopefully his agent insisted on it. Doesn’t sound like it though. Same thing for Mookie Betts and others who play year to year. Only saving grace is the monopoly type money he’s already earned might seem a pittance compared to what he was expecting, it’s still a fantasy fortune for the typical fan.

    Reply
  5. fasbal1

    7 years ago

    This is a perfect example of the danger in trading heralded prospects for a veteran player. Thank you Blue Jay’s for not accepting the Flaherty deal. Cards would have regretted that move for a while.

    Reply
    • andrey c.

      7 years ago

      Would Flaherty have a .248 babip if he had to face Boston and New York 4 to 5 times a year?

      Stroman and Sanchez are pretty talented and they can’t get Betts, Judge and Stanton out.

      The Blue Jays needed Donaldson to hit like JD Martinez but he missed the whole season instead. It is what it is.

      2
      Reply
      • ThePriceWasRight

        7 years ago

        still better than what they got.

        Reply
      • Rob B

        7 years ago

        You act like the Cardinals do not face teams with good hitters.

        Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      7 years ago

      I agree it’s a good example, but still not as good as the Syndergaard/d’Arnaud for Dickey trade. Hahahahahahahahahahaha!

      1
      Reply
      • teufelshunde4

        7 years ago

        Alex Anthopolis lovers always leave out that trade..

        Reply
  6. southpaw2153

    7 years ago

    I love when these guys get greedy, turn up their nose at a generous offer, then get stiffed because they were injured or start declining. Zero sympathy for Donaldson.

    2
    Reply
    • Vedder80

      7 years ago

      So you aren’t a fan of baseball and want to see the talented players get hurt? Sounds like you came to the wrong place for entertainment.

      2
      Reply
      • sufferforsnakes

        7 years ago

        He’s talking about greed, and how it’s taken over the world of sports.

        2
        Reply
        • stevewpants

          7 years ago

          Greed has existed in the game for a long time, its just more evenly distributed now compared to 60 years ago when the owners kept every cent. I will never understand why some of you guys think the players don’t deserve the money and only the white collars in the boardrooms do…

          1
          Reply
        • southpaw2153

          7 years ago

          Did you read the article? It said the team was willing to offer him $25 million + per year for multiple years. I never said he didn’t deserve the money, just found it comical he now isn’t going to even sniff that type of offer this winter. Money was there, he didn’t grab it and screwed himself because he was hoping to get even more. Lol. F him.

          Reply
        • sufferforsnakes

          7 years ago

          Pretty simple. The more they get, the more it costs the fans.
          Where does it end?

          Reply
        • stevewpants

          7 years ago

          It sure would be nice if the world was that simple. Its not though. Orioles made some big signings last minute at the end of spring training and then started giving away tickets for free when nobody was showing up to the games. It is not as simple as saying the more players get the more tickets cost. Owners love that you think things work like that though to be sure.

          1
          Reply
        • Rob B

          7 years ago

          I agree that it isn’t quite that simple but your analogy really just proves his point. Why do you think they gave away tix? Out of the kindness of their hearts? Hell no! They want to make money on food and beverages, souvenirs and parking. They have to re coup somewhere. And if the trades they made produce a product people will pay to see, the fans will pay more for it. Don’t kid yourself.

          Reply
    • Old User Name

      7 years ago

      Hooray!!! Now the owners get to keep all that money for themselves. SMH.

      2
      Reply
      • its_happening

        7 years ago

        Or fans stop going and watching games for a year or two, drive the prices down and bring changes. If MLB wants more younger fans they’ll need to be affordable for families once again.

        2
        Reply
        • Old User Name

          7 years ago

          The big contracts come from tv deals, not ticket prices or concessions.

          1
          Reply
        • stevewpants

          7 years ago

          What they need is to let kids watch a live stream on their devices for 99 cents a pop, thats how you get kids again.

          Reply
        • Taejonguy

          7 years ago

          cause that’s gonna happen…

          Reply
        • stevewpants

          7 years ago

          I don’t think it will happen either. But its better than putting games on facebook that has dwindling user numbers in the 18 and under category.

          Reply
        • its_happening

          7 years ago

          Yes. Stop watching means stop watching TV. It would be crippling.

          Reply
        • stymeedone

          7 years ago

          If that was true, the owners wouldn’t be worried about an aging fan base. Ticket prices and concessions would be cheap enough for families to go regularly, not once or twice a year. Only a few teams get enough dollars from the TV deal. The rest have to rely on attendance to supplement. Trading away Donaldson before the season would have killed ticket sales. Few outside of NY thought their starters would hold up, and Toronto had depth to their rotation. Toronto brings in CA dollars but pays out US funds. They had both business and competitive reasons to not throw in the towel before they played a game this year.

          1
          Reply
  7. tbone0816

    7 years ago

    My guess he lands with the Cardinals in the offseason in free agency!! I really hope the Cards land him.

    Reply
    • mt in baltimore

      7 years ago

      As long as he is healthy and can play…would love to see him reestablish himself in St. Louis.

      Reply
      • tomabsolon

        7 years ago

        I am a life long Cardinals fan and have always liked Donaldson but at some point just like with a guy I have Admired from day one Adam Wainwright you have to say maybe they just don’t have it anymore but we will see.

        Reply
    • HubcapDiamondStarHalo

      7 years ago

      I’d be as delighted for the Cards to land Donaldson via free agency as I am that Toronto turned down whatever offer St. Louis made before the season began!

      Reply
  8. infieldflyrule

    7 years ago

    As a Jays fan I do hope the best for Donaldson wherever he lands. I hate how the relationship and communication between the Jays FO/Ownership and Donaldson’s reps has crumbled and turned into a bitter mess. We have had an awful year where a lot of worst cases occurred. We have an encouraging future maybe if pitching appears from somewhere. JD brought excitement swagger and success back here after a long hiatus, I hope he shakes the injuries and returns to form. Thanks Josh!

    Reply
  9. weekapaug09 2

    7 years ago

    If Riley isn’t ready, I can see Atlanta signing him to an incentive-laden deal. Especially with AA as GM. Who knows?

    Reply
    • Vedder80

      7 years ago

      An incentive laden deal isn’t going to get him.

      Reply
      • weekapaug09 2

        7 years ago

        Fair. The dude is a stud when healthy. If he’s interested in a pillow contact though, have to imagine Atlanta would be a suitor.

        Reply
  10. homeunderdog

    7 years ago

    Jeff – have you forgot about a guy named Derek Rodriguez? Would be more deserving of the award if it came to that.

    Reply
    • birdsonbat

      7 years ago

      Yeah maybe if sf was in a race, or drod avg more than a k/in. Two different pitchers, both good seasons. Flaherty has flashed ace though, admittedly haven’t seen much of drod, but i didn’t think his ceiling was that of an ace.

      Reply
  11. Nnnjjjjjhhjj

    7 years ago

    Does Heyman not have anything to write about? Their is a pennant race. What insecure little twit to argue with someone over twitter about a non-story.

    1
    Reply
  12. Nnnjjjjjhhjj

    7 years ago

    there, not their.

    Reply
  13. steven st croix

    7 years ago

    Heyman is garbage

    2
    Reply
  14. tharrie0820

    7 years ago

    Josh Donaldson? more like Donald Johnson!

    Reply
  15. Gordon Lightfoot

    7 years ago

    More excuse making for the Jays franchise. No “known reason” to ship Donaldson? How about the fact he had a calf injury the year prior (an injury known to linger), a dead arm this year in Spring Training, what appears to be a series of miscommunications with JD’s agents, and the player was in the last year of his deal? Jays didn’t do their homework and let yet another top talent leave with nothing in return. I’ll say it again, you reap what you sow. Not to worry, the Rogers/Sportsnet public relations team will handle the matter and lull the common Jays fan back to sleep. True baseball fans in Toronto, of which there are many, deserve much better. The same Jays brass that chose to hold on to JD are the same wide-eyed fools that said the Jays would “compete” in 2018 – Jays are 35.5 games out in the East. Expect better, Toronto.

    1
    Reply
    • charlesk

      7 years ago

      Can’t win the World Series when you’re 35.5 games back and rebuilding after another lost season… not sure that the Rogers brass even cares. #FireShapkins

      Reply
  16. tigerfan1968

    7 years ago

    The Jays did have a shot at contending with Josh healthy and a decent performance from Stroman and Sanchez. All three had injuries for the second straight year. Josh’s injuries have lasted much longer than I expected. He is still relatively young and one of the five best hitters in the AL. Nice to see Josh homer last night. It may be the Yankees, Astros, or Red Sox that may be questioning why they did not offer something decent to get Josh for the playoffs.

    Reply
  17. jleve618

    7 years ago

    Wow, tried to start reading the latest heyman article linked, just couldn’t do it. All I could hear was his whiney voice and it sounded like a kid trying to justify stealing someones lunch.

    1
    Reply
  18. julyn82001

    7 years ago

    What a tremendous player Josh Donaldson is, period! A’s Billy Beane traded for Josh as a rocky and as a catcher – Oakland needed a third baseman to replace Eric Chavez – and Beane did not hesitate trying Josh at third! And what an incredible player Donaldson became! The A’s have Chapman now – another superstar – but wow Josh is just special no matter a down season like this one!

    Reply
  19. jimmertee

    7 years ago

    Great article Jeff.

    At the end of the day, what did the Jays end up with in exchange for Donaldson, Bautista, and Encarnacion? A TJ guy from Cleveland with very little chance of elite upside.

    There is no excuse for this. The Jays weren’t going to compete in 2017 and 2018 and that was said here in the MLBTR blogs adnaseum

    It is time to fire Shapiro and Atkins. It was not ownership’s fault. Good scouting easily could see this team [and starting rotation] in ’17 and 18 were not going to compete and it is the scouting director’s and the GM/Pres job to relay that to ownership and marketing.

    Inexcusable. Fire the Blue Jays Executive team now,. The Jays and there fans deserve an elite GM ala Gillack, Epstein, Cashman or Dombrowksi type.

    1
    Reply
    • VancouverBlueJays

      7 years ago

      A clear indication that “trying to compete in 2018” was in fact at the Owners’ behest, is that all of the player acquisitions were either mid-20’s aged players with potential and controllable years OR veterans with only a 1 year commitment; even Solarte has a team option for 2019 (which will get declined),
      Trying to build up a decent farm system takes time, so the Blue Jays already have a Top 5 farm system, even tho’ their last GM just stripped it bare 3 years ago. ALL GM’s make moves that don’t work out, but I have never liked a BlueJays farm system as much I do now. Having to listen to his boss, Shapiro relented in trying to “compete in 2018”; but as expected, it didn’t work out. Re-iterating in every 2nd Blue Jays article that “Shapiro/Atkins need to be fired”?
      Yes, we get it, Jimmertee, You have made your point.

      Reply
  20. citizen

    7 years ago

    Is this from josh Donaldson s agent. Do we really need a daily update on Donaldson. He’s been traded already. Geez.

    Reply
    • JKB 2

      7 years ago

      Their are many articles I choose not to read. If the topic does not interest me I just pass amd look at the next one until I find one I want to read

      I read this one. Hey so did you! I guess it caught your interest. So much we both even made comments.

      Suggestion. You can always not read the article

      Reply
    • charlesk

      7 years ago

      He’s reminding us that the Cards offered up a two-player package that included young righty Jack Flaherty (.248 BABIP, 132 1/3-innings so far in his rookie year) for Donaldson ahead of the season. Shapkins whiffed like they do so often, and now the Jays are 35.5 games back, and just at the start of a painful 2-3 year rebuild. AA is GM for the playoff bound Braves, too bad Rogers senior leadership fell for Shapiro’s BS.

      Reply
      • its_happening

        7 years ago

        Rogers is in much more control than people think. History has repeated itself.

        Rogers bought the team in 2000. In 2001 they fired Gord Ash and slashed payroll. Team was losing money for various reasons. However, Rogers turned down prominent former and current GMs to hand the reigns to JP Ricciardi from Oakland, because he convinced Rogers the team could win at $45-mil.

        That didn’t work. Then stuck with Ricciardi at least two years too long.

        Then there was AA. More penny-pinching at first. Only this time they were loaded with a stadium they own and a media they own. Sunshine and rainbows during the lean AA years thanks to Rogers and Anthopoulos is still beloved in a city where success was very minimal. AA can thank Rogers for the pat on the back.

        Who’s hired next? The new penny-pinchers from Cleveland. Who did the hiring? Rogers.

        Do not kid yourself. Rogers is the problem. When they decide they really want to win they will hire winners rather than bean counters, perhaps the city will be a successful baseball town. Until then we will be subjected to the same issues whether Shapiro is here or not.

        Reply
  21. TennVol

    7 years ago

    Watching Sean Reid Foley mow down the Yankees through 5 innings and 10 strikeouts. I think the Jays have 2 good ones in Borucki and Foley for next year. If Sanchez and Stroman and get themselves fixed for next year, those 4 should make a decent nucleus for the Jays staff in 2019.

    Reply
    • jimmertee

      7 years ago

      Sorry to blow the illusion false hope bubble Frank, but it is the same bubble that existed at the end of 2016 and 2017 that led to this mess.

      “If Sanchez and Stroman can get themselves fixed” That is NOT going to happen. Stroman has great stuff but blows up every 2nd game and his health isn’t great for a starter. He would make an elite closer. As for Sanchez he had one good year but his hand blew up on the curveball and without it he is a very weak starter, maybe a #4. SO neither of them are getting fixed.

      As for Sean Reid Foley, he is a #4. he has good stuff but doesn’t have a clue where the ball is going once it leaves his hand. That means he can look great or be terrible. Mostly terrible at the major league level. I think he’ll eventually settle in as a #4.

      That leaves Borucki. He has an upside of a #2 but that is only if he changes his workout regimen and puts on at least 20lbs of muscle. Otherwise he is #3, It is two more years before Borucki can mature like this.

      That leaves a whole lot of holes in the BlueJays rotation. They really need an true Ace which they can acquire through trade or FA. But Atkins and Shapiro are terrible at acquiring elite talent. NAte Pearson has the stuff to be an ace but he is years away from the big leagues.

      Barring changes, like I said in 2016 and 2017 this is going to be one bad starting staff in 2019.

      1
      Reply
    • charlesk

      7 years ago

      35.5 games back, no Championships for 25 years, and the team is going through a major rebuilding when you could have realised value for Donaldson, Happ, Estrada, etc at the start of the season. #FireShapkins

      1
      Reply

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