The Toronto Blue Jays and superstar Josh Donaldson are preparing for an arbitration hearing, but the club reportedly wants to keep him on a long-term basis.
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Blue Jays Want Donaldson 'as Long as Humanly Possible'
Friday, Feb. 5
On Thursday, Greg Warren of the Score noted Donaldson is under Toronto’s control through the 2018 season, but the team and the defending American League MVP “are feuding over $450,000,” leading to an arbitration hearing in February.
Warren put the situation into further context:
Toronto's file-and-trial policy suggests an extension is unlikely prior to the arbitration hearing, which will take place on or before Feb. 21. Donaldson filed at $11.8 million, while the club submitted a suggested 2016 salary of $11.35 million when the two sides exchanged figures in January.
In fact, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports pointed out on Friday Donaldson's hearing is scheduled for Feb. 15.
Shi Davidi of Sportsnet said a fan asked general manager Ross Atkins about Donaldson’s status at the Blue Jays' Leadoff event. Atkins responded, “We want him here as long as humanly possible. ... We’re going to do everything we can.”
Atkins also said the two sides are ideally “going to work toward a multiyear deal,” per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.
Donaldson is a fan favorite in Toronto, and he suggested he would love to stay there the rest of his career during a radio appearance in November (via Warren): “I really love the city, and I could see myself spending my entire career here. I would love to end my career in Toronto. I love playing there; I would love to be able to do something, but I'm not the one calling the shots.”
Warren called Donaldson’s $4.3 million earnings in 2015 “modest,” and it is hard to argue with the assertion, considering he drilled 41 home runs and led the league with 123 RBI.
Outside of the power numbers, he hit .297 and tallied a career-high OPS of .939 and a career-best 8.8 WAR, per ESPN.com. The head-turning WAR stat, which was second only to Mike Trout in the American League, was a result of impressive fielding at the hot corner as well as his prowess at the plate.
According to FanGraphs, Donaldson posted 11 total defensive runs saved above average at third base for Toronto last season as a two-way star. He won the MVP and helped the Blue Jays reach the American League Championship Series, where they lost to the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals.
It is no wonder the 30-year-old set himself up for a significant arbitration raise this offseason as one of the best players in all of baseball.
There is certainly plenty of pressure on Atkins’ shoulders heading into next season. In addition to Donaldson’s arbitration situation, superstars Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion are set to be free agents following the 2016 campaign.
That threesome represents the offensive core of the team and was a major reason why the Blue Jays led the league in total runs scored in 2015. Bautista drilled 40 home runs, and Encarnacion added 39 as part of arguably the most feared trio of sluggers in the majors.
Even losing one of them would be a difficult blow to a club with a legitimate World Series shot.
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