No arbitration: Donaldson stays in Toronto for $23M
Toronto avoids arbitration with Donaldson
The Toronto Blue Jays brought enough cash to satisfy the Bringer of Rain. At least for the 2018 season.
The Jays and third baseman Josh Donaldson avoided arbitration, settling at US$23 million for the 2018 season, first reported by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.
The Donaldson deal is a record. The previous record for an arbitration-eligible player was Bryce Harper’s $21.625 million for the 2018 season.
As first reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Jays also signed second baseman Devon Travis to a oneyear, $1.45-million deal, and right-handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez to a $2.7-million deal for 2018. Both Travis (right knee surgery) and Sanchez ( blisters on right middle finger) spent a considerable amount of time on the DL last season.
Nightengale reported Thursday that outfielder Ezequiel Carrera signed a $1.9-million deal for 2018 with the Jays, also avoiding arbitration.
That will satisfy John Gibbons, as the Jays manager loves having Carrera as his fourth outfielder. Left-handed reliever Aaron Loup also signed a $1,812,500 deal, righty reliever Dominic Leone signed for $1.085 million, and outfielder Kevin Pillar got $3.25 million.
Two Jays remain unsigned and arbitration eligible: righthanded closer Roberto Osuna and starting righty Marcus Stroman. Deadline to file arbitration numbers was 1 p.m. ET Friday, but deals can be agreed to before an arbitration hearing is held later this winter.
Donaldson, a three- time major league all-star, becomes eligible for free agency after this season. There is speculation if the Jays don’t sign him to a long-term deal, he may be traded if the club falls out of the playoff picture. The Jays, however, said repeatedly they are not in a complete rebuild mode and want to compete for a playoff spot in 2018 and wouldn’t be able to do that without Donaldson, the 2015 American League MVP, in the lineup.
In 113 games in 2017, Donaldson hit .270 with 33 home runs and a .944 OPS. The 32-year-old appeared on the MLB Network Friday and said it’s “a compliment” that his name has been mentioned frequently during the off-season as someone who might be traded.
“I think it’s a compliment that there are other teams that feel that their team would be better with me in it. And I tend to agree with them,” Donaldson said with a smile. “The fact of the matter is, I really enjoy where I’m at right now and I enjoy being a Toronto Blue Jay and enjoy what we’ve been able to build in this organization.
“I could be OK if this (Toronto) is where I spend the rest of my career, I could also be OK if they (the Jays) decided to move on,” Donaldson said, adding it’s not only his decision.
The Jays are still able to negotiate a long-term contract with Donaldson after avoiding arbitration.