Blue Jays sign star Donaldson to one-year, $23M deal
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins didn’t see a problem giving all-star third baseman Josh Donaldson a hefty raise for the upcoming season.
Donaldson and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing on a $23-million US, one-year contact — the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player in Major League Baseball history.
“We didn’t by any means break the record, Josh did. Josh broke the record with his performance and quite frankly blew it out of the water,” Atkins said. “We knew that was going to happen. It was just a matter of how much and if we could align in value and we’re very pleased that we did.”
The contract gives Donaldson a $6-million raise while also making the 2015 American League MVP the highest paid player on the Jays’ roster.
Donaldson rebounded from an injury-slowed ’16 to hit .270 last season with 33 homers and 78 runs batted in over 113 games. The sure-handed infielder missed time from April 14 through May 25 with a calf injury, which also hampered him during spring training.
He was coming off a $28.65million, two-year deal and is eligible for free agency after this season.
Atkins wouldn’t get into details about the potential of a long-term contract with Donaldson, 32, but did say Friday’s deal could help in future negotiations. “I definitely don’t think it hurts us,” Atkins said. “Everything in any relationship and any negotiation, when you do agree on something is certainly a positive.”
Donaldson has a .285 batting average with 111 home runs and 300 RBIs over three seasons in Toronto.
“Josh is huge component to our team and to our success — what he brings not only on the baseball field, but in the clubhouse,” Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez said. “Great dude to be around, great leader.”
Sanchez also avoided arbitration, signing a one-year deal worth $2.7 million.
“I let my people handle it. I wasn’t really in a lot of the talks, but definitely I’m happy.”
The Blue Jays also agreed to one-year deals with outfielder Kevin Pillar ($3.25 million), second baseman Devon Travis ($1.45 million), right-hander Dominic Leone ($1.085 million), outfielder Ezequiel Carrera ($1.9 million) and left-hander Aaron Loup ($1.8 million). Pillar can earn a $50,000 bonus for 450 plate appearances.
Two key parts of the Jays’ pitching staff that were eligible for arbitration, closer Roberto Osuna and starter Marcus Stroman, remain unsigned. Stroman, who won a careerhigh 13 games in 2017 with a 3.09 ERA, required an arbitration hearing last year before securing a $3.4 million salary.
While the Jays have been relatively quiet this off-season, aside from acquiring infielder Yangervis Solarte in a trade with San Diego, Atkins said the team is in a good position to add where it needs to. “We definitely still have flexibility and we definitely have room to make moves whether that be via free agency or trade and I feel like we’re in a good position to make our team better.”