Josh Donaldson traded to Toronto Blue Jays; Brett Lawrie, others to Oakland

Third baseman Josh Donaldson had been traded to the Toronto Blue Jays from the Oakland Athletics, according to multiple reports. Oakland will receive three players in return: second/third baseman Brett Lawrie, shortstop Franklin Barreto, right-hander Kendall Graveman, and left-hander Sean Nolin. The move will further bolster what appears to be a strong lineup in Toronto and marks the second significant addition the team has made this offseason.

Susan Slusser of the SF Chronicle first reported that the A’s had a deal in the works, but the early speculation seemed to center around the inclusion of Jeff Samardzija. Slusser later updated that report, but she and many others had assumed that Donaldson was one of the few players that Billy Beane would be reluctant to move. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal relayed details once the deal became more clear.

Donaldson will step right into the Blue Jays lineup to take over for Lawrie and will likely offer an instant upgrade. He’s appeared in 158 games in each of the past two seasons for Oakland, batting a collective .277/.363/.477 while averaging 34 doubles, 26 home runs, and 96 RBI a year. Donaldson will be 29 in early December, but he is under team control for the next four seasons – though he’ll go through arbitration this year as a Super Two.

Donaldson will join a Blue Jays lineup that has already added Russell Martin this offseason, on one of the first significant contracts that was handed out. The pair will be worked into a lineup that already includes Jose Reyes, Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion and will represent a significantly improved offense. 

Toronto still has questions to address, of course, and will likely pursue upgrades in their rotation, bullpen, second base, and left field.

Lawrie will presumably be a favorite to play third base for Oakland, though he does have a fair amount of experience at second base as well – another position the A’s could be looking to upgrade at. He does give them some flexibility, but in general he’s a step back from Donaldson in terms of offensive potential. The 24 year old Canadian native has spent parts of the last four seasons with the Blue Jays, batting a combined .265/.323/.426. He may be younger than Donaldson, but he’s under team control for one fewer season and brings along some prior injury concerns.

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Nolin could prove to be a solid addition for the A’s, though questions remain about the type of pitcher he projects to be. Some see a mid rotation talent, while others view him as someone who’ll eventually end up in the bullpen. He spent the bulk of this past season at Triple-A, posting a 3.50 ERA and 1.248 WHIP in 87.1 IP.

Graveman made his debut with the Blue Jays this past season, making five appearances out of the bullpen with four strikeouts and no walks in 4.2 IP. The 23 year old made 27 starts across four levels, going a combined 14-6 with a 1.83 ERA and 1.034 WHIP in 167.1 IP.

Barreto has been described as a “toolsy” shortstop, who at just 18 years of age has yet to play a full-length season. He spent the 2014 season at Low-A where he hit .311/.384/.481 in 328 plate appearances.