Blue Jays Want To Keep Josh Donaldson In Toronto 'As Long As Humanly Possible'
Fresh off an MVP season in 2015, it sounds like the Blue Jays want to tie the knot with Josh Donaldson.
As it stands right now, the two sides will be headed to an arbitration hearing on February 15, which is ridiculous given that both sides have submitted their figures and are only $450,000 apart. Donaldson filed for $11.8 million, and the Blue Jays countered with an offer of $11.35 million. The Blue Jays’ team policy is not to settle on a one-year deal after figures have been officially submitted, so the only way that both sides will avoid going to arbitration is to agree on a multi-year deal before the hearing on February 15.
So, we already know that the Blue Jays have interest in a multi-year deal. But does Donaldson? Well, if his Twitter Q&A on Wednesday was any indication, it sounds like he’d love to stay. He called Toronto his favorite city, Rogers Centre his favorite ballpark, and talked about his desire to win a World Series with the Blue Jays.
My feeling is that something will get done, especially since the gap between the two figures is so minuscule. This is the second of four arbitration years for Donaldson, with the earliest that he can reach free agency being in 2019. It would make sense for the Blue Jays to give Donaldson at least a three-year extension to avoid having to exchange figures with their star player every year until he reaches free agency. The Red Sox have (or had, since it started under Theo Epstein) a policy that if they are to extend a player before they are eligible for free agency, the deal must cover all of their arbitration years, and at least one year of free agency. I could see that happening with Donaldson as well, especially after the “we want him here as long as humanly possible” comment.
Last year, Donaldson hit .297 with a .939 OPS, leading the league in total bases (352), RBIs (123) and runs scored (122). He also jacked 41 home runs and ripped 41 doubles, leading the Blue Jays to their first postseason berth since 1993.