Atkins optimistic Donaldson will sign with Blue Jays
DUNEDIN — Blue Jays’ general manager Ross Atkins did a little of the old bob and weave when asked about his contract negotiations with Josh Donaldson this week.
Donaldson said on Monday that negotiations for a possible longterm deal with the Jays have been put on hold for now so he can concentrate on the 2018 season. He added that he expects to become a free agent at the end of the season.
But that, said Atkins, doesn’t mean the all-star third baseman and 2015 AL MVP is leaning towards leaving the Jays.
In fact, when asked point blank if the Jays feel they can get a deal done with Donaldson, Atkins replied: “Yes we do.”
Atkins was then asked how that jives with Donaldson saying he expects to become a free agent at the end of the year?
“Well, he could become a free agent and still sign with the Toronto Blue Jays,” said Atkins. “I think it’s ‘yet.’ We haven’t realized a deal ‘yet,’ so now we’ll shift our focus to spring training and getting ready for the year and try to bring a world championship back to Canada.
“But, I’m sure (Donaldson’s agent) Danny (Lozano) and I will remain in contact like we always do.”
Atkins said that Donaldson’s wish to focus exclusively on the season is sincere and that’s the only reason why negotiations have been suspended for now.
“The important thing at this point for J.D. and the team is we mutually agree our focus should be on the team,” said Atkins. “Our interest in one another is certainly mutual and that’s the easiest part of the equation. And we determined that early on.
“Out of respect for this team, out of respect for JD we don’t want (contract negotiations) to become a distraction.“
Atkins used words like “understanding values and risk” when asked about what kind of money and term was being discussed. He also acknowledged that in his discussions with Donaldson, the organization’s overall plan for the future was a big part of the equation.
“Josh is clearly driven to win,” said Atkins. “That’s what motivates him. He plays to win. I think that’s one of the things that separates him. There’s a lot of things that separates him but one of them is, he is at just about every point in a game focused on winning. You can see it in his at-bats, you can see how he’ll make adjustments at certain points given the score and the inning and what the count is. You can see it how he attacks the defence, and how he attacks base running, how important winning is to him. So having a candid exchange about our system, our future, our goals is really important.”
“It’s been respectful, it’s been productive, it’s been open,” added Atkins of the club’s negotiations with the Bringer of Rain and his agent. “We’ve learned a great deal about one another over the past 2 1/2 years and I feel good about the relationship and I feel good about the potential of him being here long-term.”
Atkins said Donaldson’s wish that he would like to stay in Toronto is authentic.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he wants to be a Toronto Blue Jay,” said the GM. “There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind. It’s such an interesting process for a player of his calibre because he feels a responsibility to this organization, he feels a responsibility to the city, he feels a responsibility to his teammates and he also feels a responsibility to the industry.”